Cable theft leads to major West Rand 'load shedding'
City Power is testing contingency measures, while vast parts of the West Rand have been subjected to power supply at four-hour intervals.
The electricity supply problem was caused by cable theft last week, during which various cables and major transformers were damaged.
City Power is testing a mobile electricity transformer unit.
#CityPower says contingency plans have been put in place after residents of Northcliff, Roodepoort and other suburbs have been left in the dark and only supplied with electricity at four-hour intervals. pic.twitter.com/KdHM2NPGjb
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) April 16, 2018
According to City Power's Sol Masolo, if the testing of the mobile unit is successful, power could be restored on Tuesday to the 17 neighbourhoods and surrounding areas on the West Rand.
"We will complete the testing today (Monday). Our view is that some time tomorrow we will be able to supply all the affected areas with electricity using the mobile transformer," says Masolo.
Masolo says the damage to the substations and cables will run into millions.
"We haven't really added up all the costs but obviously because it is a number of transformers and 33 KV cable that was stolen, the costs will be quite a few millions."
Last week, City of Tshwane Mayor, Solly Msimanga, described cable theft as crippling the city.
Describing it as the city's 'biggest problem' at his State of the City Address, Msimanga vowed that authorities will clamp down on cable thieves.