Eskom technicians working to restore power in Carletonville, Fochville, and Potchefstroom are facing threats from Zama Zamas (illegal miners), complicating efforts to repair a tripped transformer at the Midas Substation.
Carletonville power outage: Here’s what Eskom revealed
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, at approximately 18:30, affecting electricity supply to 15 mines and residential customers across the region.
In a statement released on Thursday, Eskom confirmed that the 500 MVA transformer failure disrupted critical operations in the area.
While essential load has been restored to the mines to enable limited activity, full restoration for residential and other affected customers remains incomplete.
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Eskom’s technicians have been working around the clock to expedite repairs, but threats from illegal mining activities in the area have hindered progress.
“The safety of our employees and contractors remains our number one priority,” Eskom said, citing the threats as a key contributor to delays in restoring supply.
Illegal mining, a persistent issue in South Africa, has often been linked to sabotage, infrastructure theft, and unsafe conditions for workers in affected areas.
The risks faced by Eskom staff underscore the challenges of maintaining essential services in regions impacted by zama zama activity.
The transformer trip at Midas Substation affected the electricity supply to key sectors in Carletonville, Fochville, and Potchefstroom.
Among the hardest hit were 15 mines that rely heavily on uninterrupted power for operations.
Residential customers in these areas have also been left without electricity since Wednesday evening.
Eskom has not provided a definitive timeline for the completion of repairs but assured customers that it is prioritising the issue.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety, Eskom stated:
“No operating condition, or urgency of service, justifies exposing anyone to negative risks arising out of Eskom’s business or causing them injury.”
The utility continues to monitor the situation and will provide regular updates through its communication channels.
