Latest news with #Rekord
The Citizen
18 minutes ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Tshwane battles citywide outages triggered by increased electricity demand
The Tshwane metro has announced that it is currently dealing with widespread power outages across many areas due to electrical circuit overloads. According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the overloads are mainly triggered by increased electricity demand during the current cold weather conditions. Re: Power outages due to electrical circuit overloads — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) June 28, 2025 He stated that the metro is under significant strain as residents rely heavily on heating appliances, which has pushed the system beyond its capacity. 'When too many appliances or devices draw electricity from a single circuit, it can exceed the system's capacity and result in an overload,' said Mashigo. He said this triggers built-in safety mechanisms like circuit breakers or fuses that automatically cut off power to prevent equipment damage or the risk of fire. Mashigo assured residents that the city is prioritising serious and critical outages saying, 'We appeal to all residents to assist by using electricity sparingly and responsibly.' He also addressed concerns about delays in restoring supply, emphasising that they are not caused by the city's recently implemented overtime policy adding, 'The delayed response time to restoring power outages has nothing to do with the recently implemented policy to manage overtime.' To keep residents informed, Mashigo encouraged them to join their regional or citywide WhatsApp update groups for verified information. 'Together, we can ease the pressure on the grid and help prevent further outages during this challenging cold spell,' added Mashigo. Some of the affected areas include various parts of Pretoria East that have left residents without power since the morning of July 27. The outages have been blamed on several issues, such as faulty cables and vandalism. In Ward 101, Councillor Malcolm De Klerk, speaking to Rekord, said that the Olympus neighbourhood has been without electricity since approximately 18:00 on Friday due to a faulty cable at the Wapadrand substation. He said that Tshwane metro technicians were dispatched to the scene last night and have been working diligently to restore the power supply. 'The process involves earthworks, testing, and joining cables, which takes about 8 to 12 hours,' said De Klerk, adding that no estimated time for restoration had been confirmed. 'Other areas that were also affected had their power restored late last night. These areas include Mooiplaats, Shere, and Lombardy.' De Klerk linked the Olympus power outage to ongoing challenges related to infrastructure vandalism at the Koedoeberg substation. He noted that the substation, which supplies parts of Olympus and Faerie Glen, has had its protection systems damaged, leading to power surges that tripped the transformer at the Wapadrand substation. 'All protection systems need to be replaced to prevent ongoing issues,' he stated. In an update to residents, De Klerk expressed frustration, noting that little progress has been made at the Wapadrand substation apart from testing the cable to locate the fault. 'At this stage, I'm expecting power to be restored by tomorrow. This is due to the fact that there have been several cable faults prior to this one, and the teams are still addressing those outages,' he added. De Klerk also confirmed that he would visit the site later this afternoon to assess progress and reminded residents that an area-wide power shutdown for Pretoria East is planned from 09:00 tomorrow. Ward 91 Councillor Henning Viljoen noted that areas supplied by the Wingate substation, including Wingate Park, Moreleta Park, Elardus Park, Rietvalleirand, Erasmuskloof, the Rietvlei (R118) medium voltage rural line, and Waterkloof Agricultural Holdings, are also currently without electricity. He said that the cause of this outage is not yet known and that there is no estimated time for restoration available. 'Residents in Mooikloof Ridge, who are supplied by the Mooikloof substation, have been without power since the early hours of Friday morning,' said Viljoen. He explained that the outage was caused by a faulty medium-voltage cable, which has since been repaired, adding that the final restoration still depends on further work. 'The primary technical team still needs to attend to Panel C23 at the Mooikloof substation before the system operator technical team can energise the repaired cable.' Ward 44 Councillor Samantha de la Rey said that in her ward, there's a recurring pattern of outages about every two months. She also expressed concern over the infrastructure at the Koedoeberg substation saying, 'Koedoeberg substation needs urgent attention by the executive of the City. We've raised it before with the mayor. This continued strain may cause the next Wapadrand substation fire,' she warned. ALSO READ: Elderly man hacked in face during brutal Kameeldrift smallholding attack Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
East swimming brothers chase global greatness
As we are still celebrating Youth Month, two brothers from Nieuw Muckleneuk are proving that the future of South African swimming is bright. They will be representing both South Africa and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at the World University Games in Germany and the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia in July. Owethu (20) and Tumelo Mahan (18) are student-athletes at Tuks. While Owethu is pursuing a BCom in Informatics and Tumelo is working toward his BCom in marketing, their discipline and passion in the pool have set them apart as athletes to watch. 'We really do push one another to get faster,' said Owethu. 'It's great knowing someone is always close behind in the next lane.' He said it's mostly competitive, but they try to support each other. Owethu added there's always that challenge to see who can go faster. 'We actually started out playing football,' he said. 'However, swimming became our focus after we took lessons for water safety. We ended up loving it.' Owethu's biggest goal in swimming is to get to the highest level he can and see how far he can take his career. What's just as important to him is teaching people how to swim. 'It's a life skill everyone should have. 'I've been around the world, seen so many places, done so many things, and it's all thanks to just getting in the pool every day.' Owethu said at Tuks, they have a strong support system. 'There are always multiple coaches on deck, ready to help you reach your goals.' Tumelo, who is equally committed, has a strong drive to give back. 'When it's time to study, I'm all in with my studies. When it's time to train, I focus on training,' he said. 'I'm a man of faith.' Tumelo believes life is important with God, and decreasing the drowning statistics in South Africa is a personal mission. He added that water safety should be a right in this country, because people drown every day. Tumelo chose to study at Tuks because it's one of the top universities, especially for what he is studying. 'TuksSport setup feels like a family. The coaching staff, the dietitians, the sports scientists and everyone are there to support you.' He added that inspiring young people to become water-safe is a huge part of why he swims. Tumelo said anybody can get involved in the TuksSport lifestyle from a young age. 'You don't have to be an elite swimmer to start.' Their father, Dana Mahan, says it best: 'My wife and I often have to remind our sons that they're children first, conquerors second'. As they continue training through the winter, the brothers carry not only the hopes of their team and family but also the dreams of a generation. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Here is the COLDEST town in South Africa NOW
Here is the COLDEST town in South Africa NOW South Africans are bundling up as a powerful cold front grips much of the country — but nowhere felt it more than Biesiesvlei, a small town near Smithfield in the Free State, where the temperature plummeted to a staggering –10.1°C early this morning. The icy reading was captured at 06:16 and now tops the list of the coldest spots in South Africa this week. From high-altitude towns to unexpected frost zones, the winter chill has truly arrived. According to Vox Weather, cold air will continue to dominate the country, with widespread frost expected across the interior in the coming days. Inland towns, especially in the Free State, Northern and Eastern Cape, are set to face bitter morning lows this week. Disruptive rain is expected over parts of the City of Cape Town, potentially causing localised flooding in susceptible areas and roads. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution and plan for delays. Meanwhile, the SPCA urges all pet and livestock owners to act quickly: Ensure animals have dry, warm, and secure shelter Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure Reinforce kennels, stables, and shelters against strong winds Use extra blankets or straws for warmth Provide unfrozen water and sufficient food 'They depend on us — let's keep our animals safe and warm.' Also read: Top five hijacked vehicles in Pretoria – Are you driving one? Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Metro police praised for restoring order in by-law raids
Tshwane police have received praise from the multiparty coalition government for carrying out by-law operations throughout the city. On behalf of the government, MMC for Community Safety Hannes Coetzee, commended the Tshwane Metro Police Department for executing decisive, lawful action across the city as part of a targeted by-law enforcement campaign. The operations took place on June 24 in different parts of Tshwane, including regions 1, 4 and 6. Coetzee said the executed operations are not isolated, as they form part of the metro's strategy to restore order in the city. 'They form part of a broader strategy to restore order, enforce accountability and reclaim public spaces for the people of Tshwane.' He said in Region 4, multiple businesses received fines for failing to adhere to the by-laws. 'In Centurion, the TMPD issued 14 Section 56 notices to businesses found violating municipal by-laws. 'Lawlessness under the guise of commerce will not be tolerated,' he said. Illegal structures and traders removed across the City. — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) June 25, 2025 He said in Region 4, Mamelodi, two illegal street traders operating in prohibited zones were removed, with confiscations made and notices served. 'This administration is drawing a clear line that our streets will not be surrendered to disorder.' He further said a crackdown was comprehensive in Region 1, as by-laws were enforced in the region. 'In Mabopane, 11 illegal structures were demolished. In Winternest, 79 unlawful structures were dismantled in a co-ordinated effort involving the crime prevention and land invasion units.' He said illegal advertisements were removed, goods were seized, and offenders were served with enforcement notices. Coetzee said the operations were not just enforcement, but a reaffirmation of the rule of law in Tshwane. 'We are rebuilding a city founded on respect, order and justice. The days of impunity are over. 'Let this stand as a warning to those who defy the law and a promise to residents who demand a city that works. We are taking action, and we will not yield to injustice,' he said Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Top five hijacked vehicles in Pretoria – Are you driving one?
Top five hijacked vehicles in Pretoria – Are you driving one? Hijackings remain a serious threat on Pretoria's roads, with criminals targeting specific vehicles using increasingly calculated tactics. As incidents continue to rise in key hotspots across the city, knowing whether your car fits the profile could be the difference between staying safe or becoming a statistic. Here's what's driving the trend—and how to protect yourself. Paul Visser from the Pretoria ICE Community Network said here are the most targeted vehicles in the country now: VW Polo Toyota Hilux Ford Ranger Toyota Corolla Cross Toyota Fortuner These models are often targeted due to their resale value, parts demand, and, increasingly, use in cross-border vehicle smuggling syndicates. While carjackings in South Africa declined by 15.1% year-on-year (from 5,338 in Q4 2024 to 4,533 in Q4 2025), Pretoria remains a high-risk area, particularly in the following precincts: Here are the hotspots in Pretoria: Pretoria West Mamelodi East & Mamelodi West Sunnyside Akasia Temba Hijackings in Pretoria often occur: Near major intersections and traffic light stops. In driveways during arrivals/departures. Around shopping centres and transport hubs. What is the modus operandi? Criminals typically operate in small armed groups, often using follow-home tactics. Electronic jamming and surveillance of daily routines are standard methods used to select victims. Also read: Here are the most dangerous suburbs in Pretoria Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
