City Power is investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed one of its transformers at its Cleveland substation on Christmas Eve.

The fire plunged several suburbs in the east of Johannesburg into darkness, including Kensington, Jeppestown, Malvern, Heriotdale, Denver and Benrose

The blaze was put out early on Christmas morning after which mop up operations began, City Power said.

“We estimate that repairs will only be completed by tomorrow (Thursday), with power expected to be restored by 7pm should everything go according to plan,” the power utility said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.

“City Power teams of investigators and technicians are currently assessing the extent of the damage caused to the infrastructure, and what caused the fire.

“This investigation will also look at the cost of repairs and replacement to the damaged equipment, especially the transformer which was almost completely razed to the ground and may need a new replacement,” Mangena added.

A new transformer is estimated to cost between R12m and R16m, he said.

“We appeal to customers for their patience while investigations and repair work is conducted.

“We apologise to the residents for the inconvenience caused by this incident, especially on Christmas Day.”

Motorists are advised to exercise caution on Johannesburg’s M1 south at the Booysens off-ramp, after some pavement bricks became dislodged under the bridge on Christmas Day.

The road remains open.

A technical team was due on site to advise authorities, said the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

Spokesperson Xolani Fihla said in a statement on Wednesday: “Part of the structure under the M1 south Booysens off-ramp has broken off and it has compromised the safety of the bridge. At the moment the traffic is flowing smoothly and the JMPD officers are on the scene.”

“Johannesburg Roads Agency has been contacted to come and assess the damage and, if necessary, to go ahead to close the section of the bridge.”

“Further information also suggests that the fatal shooting could be related to domestic violence. Police have recovered the firearm that suspect allegedly used to kill the woman and himself,” added Peters.

The owner of an illegal initiation school operating in Gauteng has been arrested after an initiate died at the school, said the Gauteng department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs on Thursday.

Department spokesperson Castro Ngobese said the deceased was 23 years old.

“The initiate died at a bogus school around Crown Mines, south of Johannesburg. An alleged suspect responsible for this bogus school has been apprehended by police,” Ngobese said in a statement.

Three other initiates from the same school were rushed to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for medical attention.

Ngobese said two initiates had now lost their lives at two separate bogus initiation schools in the province.

The other initiate that died was 16 years old. He was from Sebokeng.

He died at a school in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.

“The alleged operator of the school is on the run and it is reported that he is hiding in West Rand,” said Ngobese.

Meanwhile, MEC for Cogta Lebogang Maile sent condolences to the families of the two deceased initiates. He hailed the police for the one arrest.

“We applaud the men and women in blue uniforms working together with Gauteng provincial task team on Initiations for swiftly apprehending the culprit. More arrests will follow soon in lieu of the fact that another bogus school operator is on the run”, said Maile.

In Vanderbijlpark, another bogus initiation school was shut down by the police after tip-offs from concerned parents.

“Twenty-three initiates have been rescued and taken to a hospital around the area for medical check-ups. The police are on an advanced operation to apprehend the owner of the bogus school,” Ngobese said.