A prolonged power outage in Alrode, one of Johannesburg’s key manufacturing hubs, has thrown multiple businesses into crisis, with industry leaders warning that millions of rands have already been lost with no permanent solution in sight.
The crisis began on 23 September when a fire at the Bosworth substation in Ekurhuleni left large parts of Alrode without electricity. Energy expert Professor Valli Padiachi, speaking on 702 Drive with John Perlman, said the incident reflects a disturbing rise in substation failures across South Africa.
Padiachi attributed this to a possible combination of aged equipment, poor maintenance, rampant illegal connections and theft. “Transformers consist of flammable material and oil, it’s ripe for disaster,” he warned, stressing that security and maintenance failures are leaving municipalities vulnerable.
On Tuesday, 30 September, concerned businesses met with the Ekurhuleni municipality in Alberton to discuss the crisis. At the meeting, Ekurhuleni MMC for Energy, Mzayifani Ngwenya, committed that power would be restored by Friday, 3 October. Electricity was partially restored a day earlier on Thursday, 2 October, but supply remains unstable, and some areas have had ongoing interrupted power supply.
In the interim, manufacturers have been forced to cut production to reduce electricity load, while many rely on diesel generators at huge cost. Businesses estimate losses in the tens of millions, with ripple effects across suppliers and downstream industries.
A WhatsApp discussion among business owners revealed deep frustration. One business noted, “This seems like there is no permanent solution from their side. There’s no word on when a permanent fix will come”.
The WhatsApp exchanges also raised serious safety concerns. Business leaders highlighted the absence of fire extinguishers, fire alarms or adequately trained security at the Z7 site, warning that the area remains vulnerable to another fire. Calls have been made for a follow-up meeting with municipal officials to press for a structured, long-term plan to secure electricity supply.
The crisis is straining relations between business owners and labour unions. Some employers have implemented “no work, no pay” measures, further fuelling union anger. Union leaders argue workers are unfairly punished for systemic infrastructure failures, while business owners counter that they cannot pay wages without production.
Businesses warn that if the impasse continues, it could trigger further job losses in a region already under severe economic strain.
For now, the manufacturing hub’s operations are limping along, with some companies restarting at only 70% of capacity to ease grid pressure. But without investment in proper maintenance, upgraded infrastructure and a transparent timeline for permanent repairs, Alrode’s manufacturers fear they may face ongoing instability, compounding South Africa’s already dire unemployment and economic challenges.
