The City of Tshwane has provided an important update regarding the fire that severely damaged the Olievenhoutbosch Primary Substation on Christmas Eve, attributing the incident to criminal cable theft. This unfortunate event resulted in power outages affecting various portions of Centurion and Olievenhoutbosch.
Deputy Executive Mayor Eugene Modise visited the site to evaluate the damage and meet with electricity department officials. He confirmed that the fire, which started in the early hours of December 24 and burned well into Christmas Day, caused substantial destruction to the facility, including the loss of one transformer deemed irreparable.
Modise stated, “Transformer A has suffered heavy damage and is irreparable.” Thankfully, progress has been made regarding the other transformers, with “Transformer B” passing all operational tests, and a spare transformer also being prepared to supply electricity to the affected areas.
A specialized cleaning operation has commenced at the substation, with teams utilizing dry-ice cleaning methods to eliminate fire residue without damaging sensitive electrical components. However, ongoing heavy rainfall has hindered repair efforts, complicating the restoration timeline.
“We would like to apologise to the community members affected by this criminal activity and the inconvenience caused by the fire on our infrastructure,” Modise expressed, highlighting the serious implications of cable theft. He condemned this act as not merely a crime but an “economic sabotage” that disrupts essential services and damages critical infrastructure, affecting families, businesses, healthcare facilities, and schools—especially during a festive season.
To combat these challenges, law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the theft and fire. The city is urging residents to unite against infrastructure vandalism and report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that protecting public infrastructure is a collective duty.
In addition to addressing immediate concerns, Tshwane is developing long-term solutions to enhance infrastructure security, improve detection systems, and implement measures to prevent future incidents of cable theft. The administration is committed to powering up the affected regions swiftly while ensuring the resilience and reliability of electricity infrastructure in the future.
Modise reassured the public that restoring power and safeguarding infrastructure remain high priorities and promised further updates as technical teams continue to work diligently on repairs. The city’s proactive approach seeks not only to resolve current issues but also to foster a more secure energy framework moving forward.