JOHANNESBURG - Eskom has planned a nine-hour power cut for some parts of Soweto in Gauteng.
The utility announced this on Tuesday citing that the disruption is necessary to carry out essential maintenance.
"This is part of our preventative maintenance because are managing equipment that needs to be maintained if not it will not be reliable.
"This will cost us even more to replace because we will lose the equipment or have infrequent energy outages," the utility spokesperson said.
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Meanwhile, as Eskom continues its efforts to maintain its infrastructure, the inner city of Joburg, has become a hub for criminal activities especially when it comes to vandalism.
According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena there was a shootout between the utility security and zama zama who were busted living in their underground tunnels and allegedly found to have been stealing electricity copper cables.
At the time a sweep of the tunnel was conducted and four criminals were found underground approximately 600 meters from the Bree substation.
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*City Power Appeals for Law Enforcement Agencies to Help After A Shootout In Underground Tunnels.*^RM pic.twitter.com/DZxZ2FP2Wh— @CityPowerJhb (@CityPowerJhb) January 20, 2025
Mangena said during the gun battle left two vandals dead and one city power officer injured while other criminals vanished into the dark alleys underground.
"The deceased suspects have been identified as a Lesotho national and a Zimbabwean national. A criminal case involving murder attempted murder and damage to essential infrastructure has been opened with the SAPS and law enforcement," he said.
According to Mangena intelligence suggests that the criminal group have taken control of the tunnel.
In light of this Mangena has urged law enforcement agencies to assit in the removal if zama zamas that continue to steal electricity copper cables underground.