Regular power outages continue to have a devastating effect on residents, businesses, schools, retirement centres and care facilities in Garsfontein.

According to Ward 45 Councillor Elizabeth Basson, this is all linked to the vandalised Garsfontein substation, which the city has never repaired over the past two financial years.

She said that many residents depend on electricity for medical equipment and healthcare needs. Some work remotely, but the frequent outages have made life increasingly difficult for ratepayers.

She said Denmar Psychiatric Hospital also depends on a reliable electricity supply, but the metro’s neglect in refurbishing the substation puts patients in danger.

“Garsfontein residents are diligent ratepayers who deserve a stable electricity supply. Not everyone can afford to install alternative power systems,” she said.

“And of course those working from home. Many will lose their jobs, and small businesses had to close their doors, causing unnecessary hardship,” she added.

Basson believes the recurring outages could have been largely avoided had the city acted sooner.

“This situation could have been resolved by now if the concerns of ratepaying residents had been taken seriously,” she said.

In response to growing frustration, Basson has launched a petition calling upon the city to refurbish the substation urgently.

She said she has spent the past two years lobbying the municipality to prioritise repairs, arguing that at least part of the work could be funded through the city’s maintenance budget rather than waiting for capital funding.

“I believe the repair of the protection systems on the damaged panels inside the substation can be accommodated through the maintenance budget and does not necessarily require capital expenditure.

“While the substation will eventually need a full refurbishment, restoring the protection systems should be treated as an urgent priority,” she said.

Basson explained that damaged protective equipment means that even a minor fault in a single electrical cable can trip the entire substation, resulting in widespread outages rather than isolated interruptions.

“Until the protection on the panels is repaired and all outstanding electrical faults are addressed, any abnormality on a cable can cause the entire Garsfontein substation to trip through to the Highlands Primary substation. Instead of only a few streets being affected, entire suburbs lose power.”

She added that unresolved faults also delay the restoration of electricity after outages because technicians often need to repair multiple faults before power can be safely restored.

“This remains an urgent matter that requires immediate attention. The problems will continue until the damaged protection systems are repaired and all outstanding faults have been addressed.”

In March, the Tshwane Metro indicated that it is exploring long-term solutions to refurbish the vandalised substation, which has been left vulnerable following repeated acts of vandalism.

However, residents said the delays have resulted in almost weekly power interruptions and are calling for urgent intervention to restore a stable electricity supply.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city is aware of the recurring power interruptions affecting Ward 45 and attributed the outages to several factors.

“The recurring electricity interruptions are mainly caused by ageing infrastructure, theft and vandalism, as well as damage to electricity distribution feeder cables along Garsfontein Road, where road construction is currently underway,” said Mashigo.

He said municipal teams continue to respond to faults as they occur to restore power to residents as quickly as possible.

“As an interim measure, the city attends to outages whenever they occur to stabilise the electricity distribution network while a long-term solution is being pursued.”

Mashigo confirmed that the refurbishment of the vandalised Garsfontein substation, together with other vandalised substations across Pretoria, has been submitted for capital funding approval.

“The refurbishment of all vandalised substations, including Garsfontein, forms part of projects that have been submitted for capital funding. The city is currently awaiting the outcome of that funding request before the projects can proceed.”

Responding to residents’ concerns that recurring faults are being repaired without addressing the underlying causes, Mashigo said the current repairs are intended to keep the network operational until a permanent solution can be implemented.

“Repairing faults as and when they occur helps to stabilise the electricity network while the city pursues a long-term, capital-funded refurbishment programme.”

Mashigo appealed to residents for patience while the city works towards a permanent solution.

“The city appreciates the patience of all customers. We are doing everything within our power to resolve the recurring outages in and around the Garsfontein substation as soon as possible, subject to the approval of the required capital funding,” he said.

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