Fifth Substation Fire in Tshwane Deepens Power Crisis as Cable Theft and Attacks Surge
The City of Tshwane is grappling with a deepening power crisis following the fifth substation fire in less than a year. The latest blaze, which occurred at the Zwartkop substation in Centurion, has intensified electricity outages. Moreover, it raised serious concerns about infrastructure security and maintenance. This recurring problem threatens the stability of the city’s power supply and the wellbeing of its residents.
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Series of Substation Fires and Their Impact
Since October 2024, Tshwane has experienced multiple substation fires. Fires have occurred at Pyramid, Watloo, Nyala, Kwagga, Brakfontein, and most recently Zwartkop. These fires have caused widespread power outages affecting areas such as Clubview, Valhalla, Thaba Tshwane, Centurion, and parts of Pretoria East. The Zwartkop fire alone led to significant disruptions. It tripped the Lyttelton Line 1 at Njala substation and impacted several other substations downstream.
Residents in affected areas have endured prolonged blackouts, some lasting nearly a week, exacerbating frustrations and economic losses. The cumulative effect of these incidents has placed Tshwane’s electricity network under severe strain.
Causes: Cable Theft, Vandalism, and Security Failures
Investigations have revealed that cable theft and vandalism are primary contributors to the substation fires. Thieves often cut cables to steal copper, leading to electrical faults and fires hours later. A preliminary report highlighted a critical lack of security at substations. This makes it easy for criminals to access and damage vital infrastructure.
Municipal spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed extensive vandalism at Zwartkop. The damage includes 630 mm High Tension cables and control cables essential for substation protection. The absence of adequate security measures has been linked directly to the surge in attacks.
Progress on Repairs
Despite these challenges, Tshwane’s technical teams have made significant progress in repairing damaged substations. At Zwartkop, over 90% of repair work has been completed. This includes reconnecting single-core and multi-core cables and testing critical components like breakers and transformers.
However, final restoration depends on the delivery of a specialised cable end box, which suffered extensive fire damage. The component requires complex modifications and parts imported from overseas, delaying full energisation of the substation.
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The Way Forward: Security, Maintenance, and Community Vigilance
City officials, including Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya, have acknowledged the crisis. They attribute part of the problem to the withdrawal of security from municipal infrastructure several years ago. There is a pressing need to restore and enhance security measures to protect substations from further attacks.
Community cooperation is essential. Authorities encourage residents to report suspicious activities near electrical infrastructure to help prevent vandalism and theft. Meanwhile, the City must prioritise completing investigations, installing surge and fire protection systems, and ensuring transparent management of repair contracts.
Restoration
The fifth substation fire in Tshwane emphasises a growing power crisis. Cable theft, vandalism, and inadequate infrastructure protection fuel this. While repair efforts are ongoing, the city faces urgent challenges to secure its electricity network. It must restore reliable power to residents. Addressing these issues requires coordinated action from municipal authorities, law enforcement, and the community to safeguard Tshwane’s energy future.
