A Hillcrest electricity substation was stripped of vital infrastructure after vandals and illegal occupants allegedly breached the site repeatedly, leaving it operating without essential protective equipment and exposing the vulnerability of critical power infrastructure in Pretoria east.

The extent of the damage has prompted plans for a formal partnership between the Tshwane Metro and the Hatfield City Improvement District (CID), which will see the CID help secure and maintain the substation once repairs are completed.

According to Hatfield operations and CID manager for safety and security, Deon van Rensburg, the destruction inside the substation was far worse than initially expected.

“It hasn’t been repaired yet. First, they have to repair it, and Hatfield CID said we’ll take care of the safety of the substation so that it doesn’t fall into disrepair the way it did,” he said.

Van Rensburg said when the CID inspected the site after hearing concerns that the substation was underperforming, they found almost nothing left inside.

He claimed that human faeces were found at the site, and criminals had stripped the facility.

“They vandalised the whole substation. Cable theft is obviously the biggest thing,” he said.

Van Rensburg claimed that homeless people had also occupied the site before access was restricted.

He said that as soon as the metro repairs the substation, they will take over and ensure it doesn’t fall into that state again.

Van Rensburg stated that the CID intends to include the substation within its security footprint because of its strategic importance.

“We can never let that happen. It wasn’t in our jurisdiction, but we’re putting it in our jurisdiction because of the importance of the substation.”

Ward 56 Councillor Tiaan Dippenaar said the latest attack occurred on June 24, triggering a widespread outage affecting Hillcrest and Hatfield.

“The Hillcrest substation was vandalised on June 24. The city immediately replaced the damaged equipment, and power was restored.”

According to Dippenaar, it was vandalised due to vagrants taking over the property overnight.

He said the incident highlighted the need for a Community Upliftment Precinct (CUP) agreement between the city and Hatfield CID.

“The latest vandalism prompted Hatfield CID and myself to come up with a solution, as the substation has been continuously breached by vagrants, who ultimately stripped the substation,” he claimed.

Dippenaar said the Electricity Department does not currently have sufficient resources to secure or maintain the property adequately.

“From my engagement with officials, the department welcomes the community’s assistance.”

Under the proposed agreement, Hatfield CID will provide perimeter security and help maintain the property to reduce opportunities for vandalism and illegal occupation.

He said protecting the substation would benefit students, residents and businesses by improving the security of critical electricity infrastructure and reducing the risk of future outages.

Dippenaar added that a similar agreement is also being explored for the Brooklyn substation through the Brooklyn Community Estate and Brooklyn Bailey’s Walk, with plans to establish a security control room at the facility to improve protection of the surrounding electricity network.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the vandalism damaged electrical panels inside the Hillcrest substation, leaving it operational but without its normal protection systems.

“The panels inside the substation were damaged. This has resulted in the substation operating without protection,” Mashigo said.

He confirmed that although the electricity supply was restored shortly after, permanent repairs are still outstanding.

Mashigo said the metro discovered the full extent of the damage during investigations into the outage and confirmed that two instances of vandalism have been recorded at the substation over the past two years.

He said visible patrols by the TMPD are currently protecting the site while the city completes repairs.

Responding to concerns about inadequate security, Mashigo acknowledged that budget and security resource constraints remain a challenge.

He said the city continues to encourage partnerships with communities and private security organisations to protect critical electricity infrastructure better.

“The city welcomes innovative security initiatives aimed at reducing vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure.”

Mashigo said the proposed partnership with Hatfield CID is still under assessment.

“The scope and responsibilities of the proposed partnership will be determined once the Energy and Electricity Business Unit has received and assessed the Community Upliftment Precinct application submitted by the Hatfield CID.”

He warned that vandalism continues to have serious consequences for the city’s electricity network.

“Vandalism of substations significantly compromises the reliability and integrity of the electricity supply. It also prolongs restoration times and places unnecessary strain on electricity infrastructure.”

The proposed partnership is expected to provide an additional layer of protection for one of the area’s most critical electricity assets as the city works to complete outstanding repairs and prevent another costly attack.

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