Marshalltown outages put children with bronchitis at risk, mother says
Lucky Mudau says repeated power cuts stop her three children from getting nebuliser treatment. City Power says eight fires have hit its central substation since January, six linked to theft, and it aimed to restore full power on Tuesday.
Mudau's children are aged 15, eight and two. She said they need nebuliser treatment four days a week, about an hour each time. She said her second child was found on the floor struggling to breathe, and she rushed him to hospital.
Mudau said two of the children have had breathing episodes and she waits for the third to have one. She said they do not have asthma but developed bronchitis after birth. She has ordered an inverter that costs R15,000.
David McMahon, acting general manager of the inner city service delivery centre at City Power, said at least 90% of power was restored by Monday night. He said the linked underground tunnels make it hard to control access, even when crews try to secure manholes.
Key facts
- Who
- Lucky Mudau (Marshalltown mother of three children with bronchitis); David McMahon (acting general manager of the inner city service delivery centre, City Power); City Power (utility responsible for power supply in Johannesburg)
- What
- A Marshalltown mother says repeated electricity outages prevent her three children, who have bronchitis and rely on nebulisers, from getting treatment. City Power said eight fires hit the central substation since January, six linked to theft, and set Tuesday as the target for full restoration.
- When
- 20 October 2026
- Where
- Marshalltown, Johannesburg, Soweto
- Status
- Reported