A lightning strike on a transmission tower left swathes of Johannesburg without power on Monday afternoon, City Power said.
”It is very widespread,” said spokesperson Louis Pieterse of the power failure that stretched from at least Rosebank in the north-east to Mondeor in the south.
Court cases at the Johannesburg High Court, including judgment in the ”Jeppestown massacre” case, were among the daily affairs put on hold as technicians tried to repair the damage and restore power.
Power was expected to be back on at about 6.30pm if restoration efforts were successful, he said.
Commuters reported that travelling conditions were difficult in the rainy conditions without traffic lights.
Metro police advised motorists to reduce speed, keep their headlights on and keep a safe following distance. — Sapa