A media statement has been published by the City of Johannesburg stating that City Power officials suspect that the cause of the fire at Eikenhof substation on Monday, August 27, may have been the result of a deliberate act of sabotage.
A video has emerged which proves that the fire had originated outside the transformer at the substation. Further to this, the transformer appeared to have been maliciously damaged so that it would leak oil onto the fire. These facts are simply not consistent with a fire originating from an electrical fault.
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City Power immediately referred this matter to the City’s Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) and the South African Police Services for further investigation.
This administration stands for the rule of law and for ensuring that all infrastructures are effectively utilised for the benefit residents. The City says they cannot allow criminals to visit wanton acts of crime on City infrastructure.
This substation provides electricity to large surrounding areas of residents and businesses, and powers the Rand Water facility in the vicinity. The Rand Water infrastructure, powered by this substation, pumps water to approximately 40% of Johannesburg, as well as parts of the West Rand and Rustenberg.
City Power engineers and technicians have worked throughout the night to repair the substation.
To alleviate the situation, a newly refurbished transformer has been brought in and has been tested. It is estimated the repairs on the residential lines should be done by 6pm this evening, August 28. At the same time, power should return to Rand Water pumps and all affected areas should be fully restored within the next 24 hours.
UPDATE: Everything is on track in terms of the repairs at the #Eikenhof substation. Work to assemble the new transformer brought in about to be completed.
We urge customers to bare with us as we try to bring the situation back to normal. @CityofJoburgZA @Rand_Water @JoburgWater pic.twitter.com/K6ioYhxCIK— @CityPowerJhb (@CityPowerJhb) August 28, 2018
Due to the recent budget allocations in this current financial year, City Power has been in a position to begin refurbishing a number of the transformers. In this instance, this has allowed City Power to quickly react to the situation.
Mayor Mashaba expressed his deepest appreciation to the technicians for their continued work in effecting the needed repairs with the urgency they have achieved for residents.
“I will be ensuring that the City, working with law enforcement agencies and the NPA, bring the perpetrators of this act to justice in the harshest possible manner. When key infrastructure of this nature is vandalised, it is a crime against the people of our City, our economy and our security,” said Mayor Mashaba.
Residents can stay up to date on the situation via @CityPowerJHB.
Also Read:
Update: Water and electricity to be restored
UPDATE: Eikenhof power restoration
UPDATE: Mulbarton substation power outage
[GALLERY + VIDEOS]: Huge fire in Rand Water Eikenhof station affects electricity
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