Frustrated Centurion residents demand answers over ongoing blackouts

Residents in parts of Centurion are at their wits’ end after spending more than a week without power.

While the metro has made significant efforts to restore power to some parts of the area that have been powerless since April 3 due to the fire at the Brakfontein substation, some areas are still in the dark.

The metro announced on April 13 that power had been successfully restored in Rooihuiskraal, Wierdapark Industrial, Wierdapark residential areas, and Amberfield 1 and 2.

Update: Brakfontein Substation

Power has been successfully restored in the below areas:

1. Wierdapark industrial
2. ⁠Wierdapark residential
3. ⁠Amberfield@Selbybok

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 13, 2025

#PowerUpdate: Progress made on Brakfontein Substation

In the wee hours of today, parts of Amberfield, Wierdapark, and Rooihuiskraal were energised.

The City remains resolute in restoring power supply to all affected by the blackout.

Further updates will be provided.

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 13, 2025

This update follows an announcement by MMC for Utility Services Frans Boshielo last week, who had estimated that full power restoration would be achieved by Sunday.

However, other areas, including The Reeds I and II, The Reeds South, and Heuweloord, continue to experience outages.

Frustrated residents in Amberfield expressed their frustration on X and revealed that electricity issues persist in some parts of the area.

Places that are Amberfield but are still out, **From Telegram*

Areas still off in Amberfield

Amberfield Valley
Amberfield Garden
Mews@Reds
Amberfield Ridge
Amberfield Mano
Kraalnaboom Avenue
Allepo Crescent
Atlanta
The Madison
The Manhattan

— Vurhonga Mabasa (@vurhongamabasa) April 13, 2025

I am in Amberfield City at The Madison Estate, we don’t have electricity. So which Amberfield are you talking about?

— Nsikelelo (@Nsikelelo6) April 13, 2025

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo provided insights into the ongoing restoration efforts on April 12.

At the time, he stated that the metro’s switching team was on-site conducting simulations to ensure the network functions as expected.

He emphasised that the teams were in the final phases of power restoration and were focusing on assessing the network’s ability to handle electrical stress and identifying potential weaknesses.

“Progress is crucial for energising areas including The Reeds I and II, The Reeds South, and Heuweloord,” said Mashigo.

He mentioned that to minimise disturbances and ensure the stability of the electricity network, the metro planned to restore power in stages, starting with critical infrastructure and essential services.

The concerns and disruptions caused by the blackout have significantly affected the daily lives of impacted residents.

In response to the ongoing power issues, angry protesters took to the streets on Sunday night, demanding updates from the metro after it failed to communicate effectively regarding the power restoration process.

Ward 64 Councillor Alta de Kock told Rekord on Sunday evening that she, along with Ward 69 Councillor Cindy Billson and residents, participated in a peaceful protest at the gate of the substation.

Update on power restoration for the areas below will be communicated after 19h00.
1. The Reeds I and II
2. ⁠The Reeds South
3. ⁠Heuweloord

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 13, 2025

“We were supposed to get an update at 19:00, and nothing has been communicated with us.

“Although power has been restored in some areas, locations like The Reeds, Thatchfield, Rooihuiskraal, and Arundo Estate still do not have electricity,” she said.

When De Kock finally received an update on the situation, she learnt that out of three tested lines, only two were functioning correctly, while one line continued to show faults.

She noted that these ongoing issues are contributing to the delays in completing the final switching process.

Last week, on April 10 and 11, residents in Rooihuiskraal protested by shutting down Rooihuiskraal Road, burning tyres and placing rocks on the road.

Protests – Centurion, GP: 19h20

Service Delivery protests have been reported on Rooihuiskraal Road in Centurion. Law enforcement has been alerted. Please be alert for impact to roads in the area.

The protest is apparently about power outages. @CityTshwane @kholofeloMorodi… pic.twitter.com/OaRC3b0oe1

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 10, 2025

One protester, Taryn Myhill, explained that they were angry with the metro’s lack of communication.

“On Thursday, we barely received an update, and that’s why people got upset. They said power would be restored by Friday, but it wasn’t.”

In an apology to residents on April 12, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya acknowledged that the estimated power restoration time for April 11 was not met.

Brakfontein Substation power restoration efforts continue despite setbacks. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/BlapwApoHq

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) April 12, 2025

She assured residents that the metro’s updates were based on ongoing assessments and were not intended to mislead communities.

“The teams had encountered setbacks that prolonged power restoration, but after a visit to Brakfontein this morning, significant progress has been made with technicians completing about 95% of the outstanding work.”

Moya confirmed that the transformer at the substation was switched on on Friday, and a process to ensure its stability and performance was now underway.

While she did not provide a concrete restoration time at that moment, she indicated that residents could expect estimated timeframes for restoration from late Saturday afternoon.

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