Spokesperson for the Ngwathe Local Municipality, Steve Naale, tells OFM News technical teams from both the municipality and Eskom were on site following the incident, but were unable to ascertain the damage done and the repair work required due to the blaze and smoke emanating from the substation at the time. 

The municipality urges residents to exercise patience and steer clear from unconfirmed reports on the matter. Naale says they will communicate the latest developments to residents. It is yet to be determined what time the explosion occurred on Tuesday evening and the cause thereof.

With the entire area without electricity temporarily and no clear indication as to when the damage will be remedied, there is a possibility the explosion will have a knock-on effect on water supply in the area too. 

In March OFM News reported on the effects load-shedding in the country had on the municipality’s efforts to improve water supply in the town. 

At the time Sedibeng Water had been roped in to assist in resolving infrastructure-related issues at its Trident water treatment plant. 

Naale said that while the mechanical repairs affected supply only in some parts of Tumahole township and Parys, Eskom’s current implementation of load-shedding was making it difficult for water to be pumped from the water purification plant to reservoirs in the area.


OFM News