City Power calls for normalisation first, repairs and restoration after
With three mini-substations and nine transformers needing replacement, outages in Mayibuye and Rabie Ridge drag on. Residents accuse City Power of broken promises while officials push for normalisation before power can come back on.
Power outages continue to impact residents in Mayibuye Ward 110, Rabie Ridge Ext 4, and Ward 80 due to damage to critical electricity infrastructure, specifically pole-mounted transformers (PMT) and mini-substations (MSS).
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that three MSSs in Mayibuye must be replaced to restore power. “Each unit costs between R800 000 and R900 000.”
Read more: City Power refutes Mayibuye residents allegations, citing that they don’t want to buy electricity
In Rabie Ridge, nine PMTs have become faulty, primarily due to illegal connections from nearby informal settlements. These unauthorised connections place excessive load on the infrastructure, leading to overheating and eventual failure.
“We are currently sourcing replacement units,” continued Mangena, “each costing between R350 000 and R400 000. Once secured, these transformers will be installed and commissioned to restore power to the affected areas.”
Mangena stressed that it is important to note that, before replacing the PMTs and MSSs in the affected areas, the normalisation process must be implemented. This process will include formal households, backyard rooms, and businesses. “Some community members had previously been unwilling to participate in the normalisation process, but we are now actively engaging with the community to complete this process.”
@caxtonjoburgnorthMayibuye residents Jabulani Sibanda and Tshepo Nkuna explain that residents on Lenong Street have been without electricity for four months due to the damaged mini-substation. #Mayibuye #electricity
Landlords must also install submeters for their backyard tenants to enable them to purchase electricity separately. “It is crucial that all customers, including those previously not vending, are properly metered. Once this process is complete, residents will purchase electricity legally, easing the strain on the network.”
This approach protects infrastructure from future damage and promotes sustainable, long-term service delivery. The next phase will involve installing the PMTs and MSSs to restore electricity to the remaining affected areas fully. “Additionally, day-to-day normalisation will continue across the area as new outages are reported, to ensure long-term stability of supply. During an outage, no repairs or restoration will be carried out unless affected customers have valid meters and are paying for electricity.”
Tshepo Nkuna, a resident of Mayibuye, pointed out that residents on Lenong Street have now been without electricity for four months, since the local MSS malfunctioned. “We’ve reported this outage to City Power numerous times. As a community, we even pooled funds and approached City Power, where they promised to address our issue, but they have yet to follow through.
“We even submitted a petition signed by all residents demanding the opportunity to purchase electricity before the normalisation process fully commences. They completed the normalisation in other areas, but residents on Lenong Street continue to be ignored regarding the mini-substation. Whenever we inquire, they claim they will come, yet no action has been taken.”
Jabulani Sibanda, another Lenong Street resident, expressed the severe impact of the power outage. “We can no longer afford to buy meat. We only purchase a small amount to get by for the day, which strains our finances even further… It’s also extremely dark here at night.”
As City Power advances the normalisation process, eligible indigent households will also receive assistance in registering for the free basic electricity (FBE) programme.
For more details, read Midrand Reporter.
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