City Power investigates underground blasts in Hyde Park
Smoke and loud underground blasts near Third and Melville Roads have sparked safety fears, with a local security guard warning that someone might get hurt if not attended to.
City power is investigating a potentially dangerous underground electrical fault in Hyde Park after repeated blasts beneath a pedestrian walkway left a growing hole in the ground and sparked fears for public safety.
The issue located at the corner of Third and Melville roads was initially raised by a local security guard, Haswell Zuma. He reported hearing loud explosions coming from beneath the pavement over the past few weeks.
The blasts, accompanied by smoke, have reportedly occurred several times during both the day and night, more especially when it is raining.
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“I have heard a big sound that comes from under the ground, very close to the pavement, where pedestrians walk, including school kids who walk from this road to Parktown High School,” said Zuma.
“I think it’s a cable from underground. It produces a very big sound and huge smoke. It normally happens numerous times during the day and night, especially when it’s raining. I do believe if water enters that hole produced by the blast, it will continue blasting until it creates a bigger hole.”
The concern was brought to City Power’s attention through a media enquiry, prompting the utility to send a technical team to inspect the site on March 4.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that they had not previously received a formal report about the issue. “Following your query, City Power dispatched a technical team to the site on March 4 to conduct a preliminary assessment. During the inspection, the team identified the hole next to the pedestrian walkway as reported.
“The condition of the area suggests possible underground infrastructure damage, which requires further investigation to determine the exact cause and the type of electrical cable involved.”
Mangena added that as part of the next steps, City Power had planned to conduct trenching at the affected location to expose the underground cable infrastructure.
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“This process will allow technicians to determine whether the cable is a low-voltage or high-voltage line, which is critical in identifying the appropriate team and repair methodology required to safely resolve the issue. Once the cable has been identified and exposed, the relevant technical team will be deployed to carry out the necessary repairs.”
However, ongoing rainfall in the area has delayed excavation work. Mangena said wet ground conditions made trenching difficult and potentially unsafe when underground electrical infrastructure is involved.
“City Power will proceed with the trenching and further investigation as soon as weather conditions improve and it is safe for teams to continue. We acknowledge the safety concerns raised, particularly given the proximity of the affected area to a pedestrian walkway frequently used by residents and schoolchildren.”
Mangena added that the matter was being treated with urgency and the power utility will continue to monitor the situation while preparing to undertake the necessary repairs once conditions allow.
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