Pretoria families left in the dark as outages stretch into days

Appliances damaged, routines disrupted and patience running thin

For some Pretoria households, the lights have been off for days and so has their patience.

Across parts of the capital, residents say prolonged power outages have turned ordinary routines into logistical nightmares. From damaged appliances to hungry toddlers waiting for warm bottles, the impact has been personal and immediate.

The City of Tshwane confirmed that a planned electricity interruption at the Waltloo substation could cut supply for up to 12 hours in the Waltloo industrial area, Nellmapius and N4 Gateway.

City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said technicians were carrying out urgent maintenance on a 132/11kV line and a 35MVA Transformer 1A.

The work also includes replacing an ageing wet-type 11kV cable box with a newer dry-type unit that does not rely on insulating oil a move aimed at improving safety and environmental compliance.

On paper, it sounds like necessary infrastructure upkeep.

On the ground, it feels like disruption without clear timelines.

When the power returns and something doesn’t

Queenswood resident Carmen Kleynhans says her electricity went out last Monday and only returned on Thursday.

When the power finally came back, her television didn’t.

“The TV didn’t switch on,” she said. The plug had blown during the outages. Now, in addition to three days without electricity, she faces repair costs.

“It was also difficult with children in the house who wanted a bottle or pap,” she added, a reminder that power cuts are not just about inconvenience, but about daily caregiving.

In many Pretoria homes, backup power systems are not standard. Generators are expensive. Inverters are still a luxury for some. So when the grid fails, families improvise.

“I didn’t know Pretoria was prone to this”

In Equestria, Nozizwe Maluleka says she was surprised by how frequently outages occur.

“Since I moved here in December, this was about the second or third time we’ve been without power for more than a day,” she said.

For Maluleka, who sometimes works away from home, outages bring added stress. Leaving children with a nanny during blackouts means extra food deliveries and unplanned expenses.

Equestria experienced multiple interruptions last week, including an explosion at the Drakenstein mini-substation on Thursday. While the city worked to isolate the fault, Ward 85 councillor Jacqui Uys said she was shocked the explosion was not included in official reports she received.

Uys also claimed councillors were instructed to receive updates only every four hours, limiting their ability to inform residents in real time. Frustrated by what she described as vague communication, she said she often visits sites herself to get clarity.

Beyond Waltloo: other affected areas

Outages have also been reported at the Koedoespoort substation and the Mamelodi substation in Mahube Valley.

Two estates in Ward 85 were still without power following last week’s outage, according to Uys.

The city has not yet commented on complaints about delayed responses or missing reference numbers when faults are logged.

A growing frustration in the capital

Pretoria has historically been seen as more stable than other metros when it comes to electricity reliability especially during the height of national load shedding. But recent localised failures are changing that perception.

On community WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages, residents are sharing updates, venting frustrations and swapping tips on surge protectors and backup systems. Some are questioning whether ageing infrastructure is finally catching up with the city.

Maintenance is essential few would argue otherwise. Replacing outdated equipment like oil-based cable boxes is necessary for long-term safety. But communication gaps and extended restoration times are eroding trust.

For families sitting in the dark, explanations about transformers and 132kV lines matter less than knowing when the fridge will hum again.

Until then, many Pretoria households remain in limbo, candles lit, extension cords ready, and children asking when the lights will come back on.

{Source: The Citizen}

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