City Power deploys security for after-hours electricity repairs in Ward 88
The power utility says standby teams and law-enforcement partnerships support after-hours operations, while specific security staffing numbers remain confidential.
City Power has arrangements in place to deploy protection personnel when its teams require security accompaniment for after-hours electricity repairs, following questions about the restoration of supply near Northcliff Tower.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said protection personnel were allocated according to operational needs and safety requirements for medium-voltage work in Ward 88 and surrounding areas. Specific staffing numbers were not disclosed, as they form part of the utility’s security planning. “Protection is not required for every response,” said Mangena, explaining that teams could attend to some medium- and high-voltage outages without security accompaniment.
In areas identified as high-risk because of criminal activity or attacks, City Power arranged appropriate protection. The utility also worked with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to arrange escorts, depending on the assessed security risk.
Mangena said there was no shortage of protection personnel, attributing the delay during the Roosevelt substation outage on October 11 to security not being informed that accompaniment was required. The security team leader of the service delivery centre is responsible for ensuring protection personnel are available when operators or test teams are called out to attend to medium-voltage faults.
Mangena stated that City Power also maintains after-hours arrangements, with operational and technical teams working on shift rotations at most service delivery centres. According to Mangena, these rosters provide coverage for major faults occurring at night or over weekends, while standby teams and team leaders receive reports of medium-voltage risks.
The utility has also increased its annual security budget by R100m to strengthen protection for its employees and critical infrastructure, including work in higher-risk areas.
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Mangena acknowledged that the need for security during some repair and restoration work placed an additional operational and financial burden on City Power.
The utility said it monitored its response-time targets for after-hours faults, including those involving medium-voltage infrastructure, and apologised for the inconvenience experienced by residents near Northcliff Tower.
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