Outage hits City of Joburg Metro building, Eskom confirms power cuts

The City of Johannesburg’s head office in Braamfontein found itself in darkness today.

Gabu Tugwana, Director of Group Communications, said that the one and half hours without light was not a power cut. “It was caused by a disruption of a power cable affected by a fire at the Fort prison,” he said.

The planning and enquiry departments were affected, as their systems were offline.

“People would not have been able to receive service in these departments and for that we apologise,” Tugwana said.

Tugwana said most employees were able to carry on with their work, adding that he himself had been online and working all day from his tablet.

Eskom said there will be deliberate power cuts throughout the country after 6pm on Thursday, power utility.

"We are in the process of implementing this now. Power will be restored by 9pm," said spokesman Andrew Etzinger.