30/09/2026
_FEEDBACK - WARD 87 - NYALA / WALTLOO BULK FAILURE - 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 19:00_
_Compiled by Cllr C F Pienaar - For Residents of Montana Park, East Lynne, Kameeldrift, Montana Industrial, Doornpoort, Annlin_
_1. WHAT HAPPENED:_
City of Tshwane's two major bulk substations failed simultaneously:
- _Nyala Substation 132kV/11kV:_ One transformer already out for repair. Second transformer damaged due to overload - no redundancy (N-1) left. Result: No power from Pyramid (Eskom) to Pumulani.
- _Waltloo Substation 132kV/11kV:_ Isolated due to own fault. Transformer T4 being commissioned. Also feeding off Pumulani now.
This is a Level 2 (Bulk) failure - not a local mini-sub fault. It affects the entire east and north of Tshwane, including _all of East Lynne, Montana and Kameeldrift._
_2. HOW THE GRID WORKS (Why Ward 87 is off):_
Eskom 400kV/275kV -> Eskom Pyramid 132kV -> _Nyala 132kV (FAILED)_ -> Pumulani 33/11kV -> East Lynne, Montana & Kameeldrift Mini-Subs 11kV/400V -> Your house 230V
Pumulani Substation that feeds Ward 87 is healthy, but has no incoming 33kV feed because Nyala is dead. So _East Lynne, Montana Park, and Kameeldrift_ are off even though the fault is 15km away.
_3. SHORT-TERM INTERVENTION - TONIGHT - INCLUDING KAMEELDRIFT:_
Emergency backfeed to bypass Nyala:
_Kwagga Eskom 132kV -> Rooiwal Power Station 33kV -> Pyramid 33kV -> Pumulani 33kV -> Ward 87_
Status: In progress. Teams are closing breakers and testing.
_Estimated Relief: Tonight_ - Pumulani to be energised, then _East Lynne, Montana Park, Kameeldrift (both upper and lower agricultural holdings and residential estates) and Montana Industrial_ will be switched on feeder by feeder.
_KAMEELDRIFT PROGRESS UPDATE:_
Kameeldrift is fed from the northern 11kV feeders out of Pumulani via Sefako Makgatho Drive and along the R573. These are long rural overhead lines that are currently being patrolled for faults. Once Pumulani is live tonight, City teams will energise the Kameeldrift feeders last in sequence because they must check for fallen lines and theft on the long runs. _Kameeldrift residents can expect restoration tonight as well, but possibly 1-2 hours after Montana Park/East Lynne._
This backfeed is TEMPORARY and FRAGILE. Old 33kV lines will carry double their design load.
_Condition: Strict Block 6 Load Reduction will apply immediately for all three areas._
- Power WILL go off for 2.5 hours at a time as per schedule to prevent collapse.
- When power returns, DO NOT switch on geysers, aircons, pool pumps, boreholes/irrigation for 30 mins - Kameeldrift borehole pumps cause huge cold load pickup.
- Peak time 17:00-21:00 is highest risk.
_4. MEDIUM- TO LONG-TERM INTERVENTION:_
- _Medium (14-28 days):_ Loan transformers requested from ACTOM. Requires lowbed, crane, oil filling and extensive testing. Once installed at Nyala/Waltloo, redundancy will be restored and load reduction lifted.
- _Long (8-12 months):_ Manufacture and install permanent new transformers. Full replacement and warranty testing required to restore full N-1 redundancy.
_5. TIMELINES DISCLAIMER:_
I cannot provide a fixed ETR. Any estimate can shift due to overload trips, cable faults, or theft. Timelines above are estimates from officials provided at midday councillor briefing.
_6. SECURITY ALERT - URGENT - KAMEELDRIFT & EAST LYNNE & MONTANA:_
City-wide outage creates opportunity for cable theft. Criminals target copper at substations and mini-subs, _especially along long Kameeldrift overhead lines, Baviaanspoort Road and in East Lynne._
If theft occurs, even after bulk is restored, your street will remain off for days while cable is replaced.
_ACTION:_
- Be vigilant around all City electrical infrastructure
- Do NOT confront suspects
- Report to TMPD 012 358 7095/6, SAPS 10111, your CPF (Montana CPF, East Lynne CPF, Kameeldrift CPF), Security Company
- Send location/photo to me if safe
_7. COMMUNICATION GOING FORWARD:_
- MMC for Utilities will provide official updates every 3 hours, separated for Nyala and Waltloo.
- I will forward official updates to Ward 87 groups, including East Lynne and Kameeldrift CPF and Watch groups.
- Do not circulate internal councillor memos.
_8. WHAT RESIDENTS CAN DO (ALL AREAS):_
- Reduce load aggressively - Kameeldrift please keep irrigation/boreholes off until tomorrow morning.
- Keep geyser on timer / off during restoration
- Unplug sensitive electronics (TVs, routers) until stable
- Check on elderly neighbours
- Report outages ONLY after backfeed is confirmed live - we know entire Ward 87 is off.
I understand frustration. This is not a Ward 87 fault alone but a city bulk failure. Teams are working to get _East Lynne, Montana and Kameeldrift_ back TONIGHT via the bypass.
Further update as soon as Pumulani is live.
_Cllr C F Pienaar_
_Ward 87_
