The metro has defended its infrastructure management works after allegations of negligence and criticism.
DA caucus leader Cilliers Brink recently claimed that Tshwane had no systems in place to protect substations and other power infrastructure following numerous fires hitting power stations in various regions last month.
Following the Zwartkop substation fire on May 20, Brink questioned the frequency of substation fires in Tshwane and criticised the apparent lack of surge and fire protection systems.
“No substation is meant to burn down due to voltage surges, whether caused by lightning or cables being hacked off,” he said.
He explained that a functional surge protection system, supported by backup battery power, should automatically shut the substation down before a fire can start.
Brink argued that such systems not only protect infrastructure but also save lives.
“If the surge protection fails, the second line of defence should be fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers.”
He referred to an investigation he initiated during his term as mayor following the Mooikloof substation fire last year.
That probe was intended to assess the state of surge protection systems, track payments to contractors hired for repairs, and investigate delays in critical tenders.
“The rebuilding of substations by contractors is an easy way to extract large amounts of money from the city in a short period,” he said.
Brink suggested that there may have been vested interests within the municipality that deliberately neglected maintenance for financial gain.
“By the time our administration was voted out of office, this investigation had not yet been completed.”
In response to these claims, Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo offered a detailed rebuttal and insights into the metro’s infrastructure policies.
“All of Tshwane’s primary substations have surge arrestors installed at the high-voltage yards,” said Mashigo.
“These are designed to protect the infrastructure from unexpected incidents, such as lightning.”
He explained the transformer at Zwartkop, which exploded during the fire, was installed in 1972.
“The transformer was 53 years old, with an expected lifespan of 30 years and adequate maintenance,” he said.
Speaking about fire suppression systems, Mashigo confirmed that all newly built substations are equipped with updated safety mechanisms.
“The city’s substations are equipped with fire suppression systems, and those that are older are being retrofitted to ensure the buildings are safe in case of fire.”
He said the current switchgears installed in the recently built substations are designed to protect each panel and prevent fire from spreading throughout the substation.
He provided examples such as the Soshanguve JJ, Wapadrand, Mooikloof, Kentron, and Pyramid substations, which now feature this modern design.
“These upgrades were introduced after fires caused by cable faults at the medium-voltage level led to serious damage,” said Mashigo.
He also addressed Brink’s claim that the investigation he initiated into fire safety and surge protection had stalled.
He acknowledged that progress had been slow, but emphasised that it was not due to neglect.
“Budget constraints contributed to the delays,” he said.
“However, the current administration has dedicated funds to Tshwane Emergency Services to ensure full compliance with fire safety standards.”
To address concerns about the use of contractors, Mashigo said the metro follows regulated procedures and uses a vetted panel of service providers.
He explained that service providers are contracted when the need arises to restore or rebuild a substation while awaiting the insurance claim.
“This is done to ensure that power is restored within the timeframe allowed by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, rather than waiting for the insurance process to conclude,” he said.
Mashigo clarified that these contractors support the work of the metro’s internal teams.
“They assist with the installation of panels and cable termination when internal capacity is limited or overwhelmed.
“There is also no separate tender for the installation of surge arrestors.”
He also addressed the ongoing threat of cable theft, confirming that Tshwane has introduced new enforcement efforts.
“Cable theft is a national problem. We have established a dedicated cable theft unit within the Tshwane Metro Police to tackle these incidents directly.”
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