A prolonged electricity interruption in Pretoria East, certain suburbs of the Moot, the north of Pretoria, and parts of Mamelodi entered a critical phase on October 1, with metro teams working on alternative supply routes after transformer failure and damage linked to the Waltloo and Njala substations and other smaller substations.

The metro explained that on September 30, Transformer 1A at Njala remained out of service after unsuccessful attempts to re-energise it. The manufacturer was assisting with diagnostic testing to establish the fault and determine the appropriate repairs.

The metro’s Energy and Electricity Business Unit said technicians had been working on alternative supply arrangements while testing and repairs continued. The work was intended to reduce pressure on the Njala network and restore electricity to additional areas.

Alternative supply routes

The metro said after 20:00 on September 30, an interconnection between the Lyttelton-Njala Line 2 and Njala-Scientia Line 2 had been completed. Work was also under way to transfer Wingate, Aries and Highlands loads to the Lyttelton supply.

Once completed, the metro confirmed those substations would receive supply through an arrangement involving the Kwagga and Rietvlei infeed substations. Switching difficulties at the Lyttelton switching yard were delaying that transfer on September 30.

Rain and adverse weather conditions had slowed testing, interconnection work and load transfers.

The metro had earlier said on September 30 that technicians had restored power to Waltloo-Ford Sigma, Waltloo-Sefatanaga, Highlands 132kV, Lynnwood 132kV, Scientia 132kV, CSIR 132kV, Willows 132kV and Villeria 132kV.

Load rotation implemented

Because of increased load, the metro introduced load rotation on a three-hourly basis for some affected areas, including Wapadrand, Mooikloof, Mamelodi 1, 2 and 3, Heatherly, Villeria, Highlands, Lynnwood and Waltloo.

Load reduction and rotation were necessary to manage the network while technical teams implemented interventions.

The metro also said its teams were working around the clock and that MMC for Utilities Alderman Molatelo Samuel Mashola was on site monitoring the situation and engaging with technical teams. Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise have visited some of the substations affected.

The metro apologised to affected residents and businesses for the disruption and said restoring a stable electricity supply remains a priority.

Political criticism over network condition

Former Tshwane mayor and DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink raised concerns about the condition of the electricity network.

He said the fire at the Waltloo substation had damaged the Njala infeed station and described the loss of transformer capacity as a reason for the load reduction measures.

Brink said the DA had seen a June 1 report from the metro’s Energy and Electricity Business Unit. “This report warned of a high risk of widespread unplanned outages during the 2026 winter period if additional capital and operational funding was not available.”

He also said the DA had lodged a complaint with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa concerning the metro’s compliance with electricity licence conditions, including maintenance obligations.

As of the evening of September 30, the metro had not provided a confirmed time for full restoration in its latest update, saying it would issue a further progress update before noon on October 1.

For residents and businesses affected by the interruption, restoration remains dependent on the technical work under way across the network and on the successful establishment of alternative electricity supply routes.

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