/ 30 April 2008

Faulty cable delays Kempton Park power restoration

Cresslawn in Kempton Park was still without power on Wednesday but the municipality said it would restore electricity to the area by late afternoon or early evening.

The entire East Rand suburb was plunged into darkness last Tuesday after a fire at a local substation.

While most of the power had been restored, a damaged cable — not connected to the initial cause of the blackout — left Van Riebeeck Park, Rhodesfield and Cresslawn without electricity.

Ekurhuleni municipality spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said municipal workers had replaced the cable to Rhodesfield and Van Riebeeck Park by 10.30pm on Tuesday.

”We are busy with Cresslawn now. The problem is that the damaged cable goes underneath buildings and it’s very difficult to get to.

”We are busy laying new cable and they will have power by late afternoon or early evening [Wednesday],” Dlamini said. — Sapa