Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said on Tuesday that sabotage was to blame, not an electrical fault, for the explosion at Eikenhof substation that resulted in a massive power outage and disrupted water supply.

The 88/11Kv substation located adjacent to Rand Water Board in Eikenhof, south of Johannesburg, caught fire at around lunchtime on Monday, resulting in power outages in areas and businesses that include Naturena, Kibler Park, Eikenhof, South Fork, Lougherin, Alveda, Rand Water, Joburg Water, and the Johannesburg Prison.

In a statement, Mashaba said that a video had emerged which apparently proved that the fire had originated outside the transformer at the substation after the transformer had allegedly been maliciously damaged so that it would leak oil onto the fire.

Mashaba Herman

 

Mashaba said this was simply not consistent with a fire originating from an electrical fault.

“This afternoon, it was brought to my attention that City Power officials suspect that the cause of the fire at Eikenhof substation on Monday may have been the result of a deliberate act of sabotage,” Mashaba said.

Loading...

“Evidence of this can be seen here. I have requested that City Power immediately refer this matter to the City’s Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) and the South African Police Services for further investigation.”

City Power engineers and technicians worked have been working throughout the night to repair the substation.

Source: News24

Also, read

Cape Town firefighters to get increased protection after attack on 14…

Cops killed Hout Bay fisherman, witnesses say

Vytjie Mentor to continue testimony at state capture inquiry

 

Previous articleRoast chicken breast on a crisp potato cake: RECIPE
Next articleANC wants Kgosi Maepa to replace Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga