oburg to experience 8-hour power outage this weekend<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nStorms Trigger Power Grid Collapse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Power infrastructure buckled under pressure as a powerful cut-off low-pressure system dumped heavy rain over Gauteng this week. The South African Weather Service issued a level 4 yellow warning, predicting damaging winds and thunderstorms. Those warnings quickly materialized, as torrential downpours and lightning swept through Tshwane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday night, lightning or water ingress is believed to have sparked a fire at the Waltloo Transformer 1B shortly after midnight. The fire caused a domino effect, knocking out Rooiwal, Pyramid, Phumulani, Waltloo, and Koedoespoort substations. Thousands of homes and businesses lost power instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City of Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed the city had to shut down power in most parts of Pretoria East to protect infrastructure and allow urgent repairs. Crews focused on replacing line isolators on the 132kV Njala line 1, which sustained damage during the power surge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur energy teams had no choice but to implement emergency shutdowns,\u201d said Mashigo. \u201cThis work is critical to avoid further destruction at the infeed station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n