By Mapaballo Borotho
- Johannesburg CBD residents are still without power following a substation fire over the long weekend.
- City Power says restoration is close but depends on underground repairs and safety clearances.
- Extensive fire and water damage has slowed efforts, with teams working around the clock to restore electricity.
City Power has assured Johannesburg CBD residents that electricity will be restored soon as repair work continues following a major substation fire.
Residents were forced to spend the long weekend in darkness and cold conditions after a substation was severely damaged.
“The remaining affected customers are located in the following areas: Commissioner Street East, Albert Street West, Fox Street West, Marshall Street West, Marshall Street East, and End Street. Restoration in these areas remains dependent on the completion of underground repairs and final safety clearances,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
“Technical teams have been deployed on-site since the incident and continue to work around the clock to address infrastructure damage and restore services as efficiently and safely as possible,” he added.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday, 25 April 2026, at a central substation, disrupted power supply to Marshalltown, Selby, and surrounding areas, leaving residents frustrated.
It caused significant damage to critical electrical infrastructure, including incomers, protection equipment, underground tunnels, and power cables.
City Power teams are currently pumping water from a flooded tunnel, which filled during firefighting operations. This step is necessary to allow safe access to the damaged infrastructure.
“The combined impact of fire and water damage has required a carefully phased, safety-led restoration approach to ensure the protection of personnel and the integrity of the network,” Mangena said.
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