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Grid infrastructureSouth AfricaEIR-0429

Fire at Thokoza substation Z7 causes power outage in Ekurhuleni

Sept 2025Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
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supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hidden
Where
Thokoza substation Z7, Ekurhuleni
Operator
City of Ekurhuleni
What
Fire broke out causing power outage
Cause
Under investigation
Response
Emergency services extinguished the fire

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): City of Ekurhuleni

A fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Thokoza substation Z7, operated by the City of Ekurhuleni. Emergency services responded and extinguished the fire. The incident caused a power supply interruption affecting residential and industrial customers in Thokoza North, Hostels, Mpilisweni and part of Alrode. City technicians were reported to be working around the clock to conduct repairs. At the time of the report, an estimated restoration time had not been established and investigations into the cause of the fire were ongoing. Customers were urged to treat the electrical network as live while repair work continued.

Not reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation at the time of publication.

  1. A substation fire can interrupt supply to both residential and industrial customers, so operators should verify network redundancy for affected areas.
  2. Live network hazards during repairs require clear public warnings to avoid injury.
  3. Early emergency response limits fire spread at substations, so utilities should maintain joint response plans with local services.

More lessons on outages, backup supply and restoration, emergency response and public communication, spacing, layout and fire spread, from every incident on the register.

  • Cause of the fire
  • Estimated restoration time
  • Extent of equipment damage

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Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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