Pretoria - Parts of Centurion were plunged into darkness on Monday after a fire erupted at the Kentron substation, the City of Tshwane said.
The “raging” fire, caused by electrical cable theft, caused power outages in several areas, including the Centurion CBD, Swartkop, Highveld and Ecopark, municipal spokesman Lindela Mashigo said in a statement.
“A team of technicians was dispatched to the scene to investigate the cause and to assess the extent of the damage,” said Mashigo.
Repairs to the substation were estimated to take about two days.
The Brakfontein substation was also vandalised on Sunday and caused power outages in the area, including Amberfield, Brakfontein, Heuweloord, Rooihuiskraal North, Thatchfield, The Reeds and parts of Wierdapark.
Affected residents were urged to report power failures to the municipality via text message or calling the municipality.
“Consumers are advised to treat all electrical points 'as live'. Switch off all non-essential appliances to assist with the load on the electrical network,” Mashigo said.
“The city apologises for the inconvenience caused. It is unfortunate that the city's residents must endure the disruption of services as a result of criminal actions.”
Sapa