Johannesburg's most famous resident - former President Nelson Mandela - was not spared as thousands of residents were plunged into darkness yesterday.
An unprotected strike by 100 to 150 "supervisory level" City Power employees led to almost 30 suburbs being without electricity - some for more than 36 hours. The suburbs included Houghton Estate, where the ailing Mandela lives.
City Power yesterday said it could take up to three days for power to be restored to most of the city.
Mandela, who was discharged from hospital on Sunday, is being treated at home, which has reportedly been turned into a 24-hour intensive care unit.
City Power spokesman Hloni Motloung confirmed that Houghton Estate was one of the suburbs that lost power on Wednesday. A mobile generator was provided.
The city's electricity utility accused striking workers of switching off the substations.
"We have sent security guards to all the substations to prevent further sabotage," said Motloung.
A source said the workers damaged the substations by destroying switches and circuit-breakers but Motloung denied this.
Asked if criminal charges would be laid against the strikers, he said: "We're trying to investigate that, and if it is found that that is the case, then we will."
A Bordeaux resident, who asked not to be named, saw men in a white bakkie cut an electrical wire on Wednesday night before fleeing.
"I'm sure it was sabotage," he said.
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