Power Outage Hits Komani Central After Second Substation Failure

KOMANI, Eastern Cape — October 16, 2025

A large portion of Komani Central has been plunged into darkness after a second mini substation failure struck the area early Thursday morning — just weeks after a separate vehicle collision damaged another substation in Tylden Street.

According to a statement from the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM), engineers were finalizing repair work on the Tylden Street mini substation when the newly energized network suffered another failure in Green Street, affecting additional households and businesses in the central Komani area.

The municipality confirmed that circumstances leading to this latest fault are under investigation. The Green Street substation will be replaced through a procurement process that has already been initiated.

“Upon energising this morning, another mini substation blew in Green Street and more customers have been affected,” the municipality said. “Circumstances that led to today’s fault are being investigated. The mini substation will be replaced and a procurement process has ensued. Repair work on the Tylden substation is still in progress. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

Background: Tylden Street Substation Crash

The first incident occurred on September 29, 2025, when a vehicle crashed into a mini substation on Tylden Street, causing extensive damage and triggering power outages across parts of Komani.
Read the original report here ➡️ Vehicle Crashes Into Electrical Box on Tylden Street

Following that event, technicians replaced the damaged unit and worked to restore stability to the power grid. However, the second failure in Green Street — which occurred during the energising phase — has now extended the outage, frustrating residents who were expecting full restoration.

Repairs and Restoration Efforts

Municipal electricians were dispatched to both affected sites to assess the extent of the damage and secure the electrical infrastructure. The Tylden Street substation remains under repair, while the Green Street replacement is expected to proceed as soon as procurement and installation arrangements are finalized.

Officials have warned that repairs may take several days, as each mini substation must undergo safety checks, cable inspections, and voltage testing before being reconnected to the grid.

“We’re prioritizing restoration but must ensure safety and equipment reliability before re-energizing the system,” a senior EMLM engineer told Komani.co.za.

Local Impact and Frustration

The double outage has disrupted power supply to homes, schools, and businesses in Komani Central, Tylden Street, and Green Street, with many residents expressing concern over recurring electrical faults.

Several shop owners in the area reported losses due to spoiled stock and halted operations.
A Green Street resident commented:

“We understand accidents happen, but we’ve had power issues for weeks now. It’s tough when every time they fix one thing, something else breaks.”

Ongoing Infrastructure Strain

Komani’s ageing power infrastructure continues to face mounting strain from decades-old components, increased demand, and accident-related damage. The municipality has launched several modernisation projects in recent years — including smart metering and network upgrades — but outages remain frequent due to maintenance backlogs and financial constraints.

Technical experts explain that mini substations are highly sensitive components that regulate voltage distribution to residential areas. When damaged, surges or imbalances can easily trigger secondary failures in connected nodes.

“When one substation goes down, the network balance shifts,” said a local electrical contractor. “If the load isn’t properly stabilised before re-energising, another fault can occur — exactly like what happened here.”

Municipal Accountability and Safety

The Enoch Mgijima Municipality has faced public criticism in recent months over the reliability of Komani’s electrical network. Officials say that while resource limitations remain a challenge, teams are working around the clock to restore stability.

The municipality also reminded motorists to exercise caution near electrical boxes and substations, as multiple incidents over the past year have been caused by vehicles colliding with infrastructure.

Residents are advised to report electrical faults directly to the Enoch Mgijima LM Electricity Department for prompt assistance.

Looking Ahead

Replacement work at the Green Street substation will proceed under emergency procurement regulations, allowing faster turnaround for essential repairs. Once the new unit is installed and tested, affected households are expected to regain power.

Residents are urged to unplug appliances during the restoration process to avoid electrical damage once power is reinstated.

The municipality has apologised for the inconvenience and assured residents that it remains committed to improving service delivery and modernising Komani’s electrical network.