Brink: Substations should not burn down
Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink says electricity and water infrastructure remain the bedrock of service delivery.
He says it is vital that the metro continually invests in maintaining and upgrading this core infrastructure.
The Mooikloof substation is the latest to catch fire, leaving residents in Pretoria East without electricity since Wednesday.
Brink says it’s not normal for electricity substations to burn down. “According to the most basic of engineering standards, each substation must have protection equipment that shuts down the electricity supply to those substations if a fire breaks out.
“I am as frustrated and angry as residents about the numerous substation fires that we have had to endure.”
At the same time, Tshwane MMC for Utilities and Regional Operations Themba Fosi said the explosion at the Mooikloof substation on Wednesday night was due to a fault on one of the 11kV power lines outside the substation.
The subsequent fire damaged the substation's Transformer B and the 11kV Panels.
Fosi said technical teams are investigating the fire’s root cause.
"Concurrently, relevant equipment is undergoing thorough testing to determine the course of action for power restoration to affected residents.
"However, due to the ongoing assessment and cleanup efforts, we are unable to provide an estimated time of restoration at this stage. We understand the inconvenience this situation poses to residents and businesses in the affected areas.
"We urge affected residents to remain patient as we work diligently to resolve the issue."
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