City Power suspects tampering behind substation fires

<span>City Power suspects tampering behind substation fires</span> <span><span>bombeleni_temp</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-09T10:15:00+02:00" title="Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - 10:15">Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:15</time> </span>

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</div> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_36 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/city-power-suspects-tampering-behind-substation-fires" data-a2a-title="City Power suspects tampering behind substation fires"><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.enca.com%2Fnews-top-stories-videos%2Fcity-power-suspects-tampering-behind-substation-fires&title=City%20Power%20suspects%20tampering%20behind%20substation%20fires"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a></span>

<div class="text-long"><p>JOHANNESBURG - City Power suspects deliberate damage could be behind damaged cables at some of its substations.</p><p>While some of the utility’s infrastructure may be ageing, some of the damage found points to possible tampering.</p><p>Acting CEO Charles Tlouane explains that while some cable joints may be old and susceptible to damage, most faults would result in a “pop”, which can be repaired and electricity restored.</p><blockquote><p><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/city-power-working-restore-supply-joburg"><span><strong>City Power working to restore supply in Joburg</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><p>However, he says the equipment should not catch fire.</p><p>“We believe that some of the fires could be as a result of foul play,” he says.</p><p>Two weeks ago, the Fordsburg substation caught fire, cutting off electricity to communities in the area.</p></div>

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<div class="text-long"><p>Tlouane says up to 90 percent of residents had their electricity restored almost immediately.</p><p>The remaining 10 percent had their electricity restored after nine days.</p><p>On Tuesday, the Central substation, one of 19 substations in the inner city, caught fire, affecting residents and businesses in the area.</p><blockquote><p><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/no-power-water-worries-major-outage-hits-joburg-south"><span><strong>No power, water worries as major outage hits Joburg South</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><p>Tlouane says that while investigations are continuing, City Power cannot give an expected completion time.</p><p>The area first needs to be cleaned before investigators can assess the damage. Repairs can then begin, followed by the restoration of power.</p><p>Tlouane says City Power cannot rule out tampering with the equipment.</p></div>

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