A Johannesburg man who tried to reconnect electricity was injured after he allegedly opened an electricity substation which blew up in his face.
The man was rushed to hospital after the substation in Crosby in the south of Johannesburg blew up in his face on Wednesday.
Isaac Mangena, the spokesperson of Joburg City Power cautioned residents from opening substations and operating on the network. He said the acts are not only illegal but are dangerous.
“A resident from Crosby near Mayfair in Johannesburg is currently in hospital after a mini substation blew up in his face after he illegally opened the mini substation and tried to operate it to restore electricity.”
Reports have revealed that the residents in the area have not had power since Wednesday 20 July, after the mini substation tipped because of suspected overload. According to Mangena, a call was logged with City Power, but the team was busy and had to complete work on another site before they could attend to the mini substation.
“In a trail of WhatsApp group messages from impatient residents, the victim was warned by the councillor and other residents against trying to operate on the City Power network. It would seem the victim went ahead and tried to operate when the substation blew up,” Mangena said.
“City Power operates in a highly regulated environment which prohibits unauthorised individuals from working on the electricity network. No resident is allowed to operate on the City Power network as this is not only illegal but dangerous, as is the case with the incident in Crosby.”
Mangena revealed that there’s a “serious problem” of vandalism of its infrastructure including illegal connection by residents with the help of unqualified electricians.
Source: IOL, The South African, Jacaranda FM, image from The South African: Pixabay