Fire at Key Substation Triggers Widespread Blackout, Raising Concerns Over Tshwane’s Ageing Power Infrastructure
A major power outage swept across large parts of northern Pretoria on Monday night after a fire broke out at the Van Riebeeck substation, prompting widespread concern among residents and renewed questions about the stability of Tshwane’s electricity infrastructure. The incident, which occurred shortly after 8 p.m., plunged multiple neighbourhoods—including Villieria, Rietfontein, Gezina, Wonderboom, and parts of Montana—into darkness as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
According to preliminary reports, the fire erupted within one of the critical distribution units at the substation, triggering an automatic shutdown to protect the network from further damage. Emergency services and City of Tshwane technicians responded swiftly, but the intensity of the fire forced officials to isolate the station completely, leaving thousands of households and businesses without electricity.
City of Tshwane spokespersons described the situation as “serious but contained,” noting that no injuries were reported. However, the extent of the damage is still being assessed. Early indications suggest that the fire may have been caused by an equipment failure, though officials emphasized that a full investigation is underway.
Residents expressed frustration and anxiety as the blackout coincided with ongoing heatwave conditions in Gauteng. Many turned to social media to demand clearer communication from city authorities, while others voiced fears that load-shedding-like outages could become more frequent.
Local business owners, particularly those operating restaurants, clinics, and security-dependent facilities, warned that prolonged outages could lead to financial and safety risks. A pharmacy owner in Rietfontein lamented the lack of backup generation capacity: “Every outage puts our refrigerated medications at risk. We cannot operate in the dark, and patients depend on us.”
Tshwane’s Energy and Electricity Department stated late Monday night that repair crews would work “around the clock,” but warned that restoring power to all areas could take several hours, or even days, depending on the severity of the damage. The department also urged residents to switch off non-essential appliances to prevent an overload when supply is restored.
The Van Riebeeck substation—an aging but vital node in the city’s electricity grid—has previously undergone maintenance due to increasing strain from population growth and infrastructure deterioration. Energy experts say the latest fire underscores a broader challenge facing municipalities nationwide: the urgent need for investment in electrical infrastructure to prevent catastrophic failures.
As technicians continue assessing the damage, Tshwane residents are bracing for a potentially extended period of uncertainty. Authorities promised to issue continuous updates as repairs progress, urging the public to remain patient and vigilant.
