Ventersdorp Set for Planned Power Outage as JB Marks Conducts Safety and Compliance Operations

Residents across the JB Marks Local Municipality region are being notified of significant infrastructure and safety developments affecting both Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom. The municipality has issued a public notice regarding an upcoming planned electricity outage linked to major upgrades at the Ventersdorp Main Intake Substation. In a separate update, Ward 24 officials in Potchefstroom conducted a multidisciplinary compliance operation aimed at improving safety and order in the central business district.

Together, these developments reflect ongoing municipal efforts to strengthen service delivery, upgrade infrastructure, and enhance public safety.

Planned Electricity Outage in Ventersdorp on 3 December

The JB Marks Local Municipality has announced a scheduled electricity interruption for Wednesday, 03 December 2025, running from 06h00 to 18h00. The outage is required to facilitate the installation and commissioning of a new 11kV Breaker Panel at the Ventersdorp Main Intake Substation. In addition, the municipality will be commissioning a newly constructed 11kV overhead power line that supplies electricity to Tshing Ext 10.

Municipal technicians will also be coupling a new breaker to the existing panel board. Due to the technical nature of the work and for the safety of electrical operators, the entire substation must be switched off for the full duration of the project.

Areas Affected

Residents in the following areas should expect a disruption to supply:

• Town Area

• Tshing Township

• Toevlug

• Moosa Park

• Boikhutso

• Boikhutsong

• Appledraai

• Surrounding farming communities

The municipality has emphasised that power may be restored earlier than anticipated. Residents are therefore urged to treat all electrical infrastructure as live at all times and to plan accordingly. Officials have apologised for any inconvenience caused and encouraged the public to take the necessary precautions during the maintenance period.

Ward 24 Safety and Compliance Operation in Potchefstroom

In a parallel initiative, JB Marks Ward 24 Councillor Sean Trautmann participated in a multidisciplinary operation on 21 November. The operation brought together teams from Fire Safety, Food Safety, Community Safety, Electricity, Infrastructure, Building Inspectors, and the Local Economic Development (LED) department.

The teams conducted inspections on businesses and buildings in and around the Ward 24 taxi rank, an area that has faced increasing concerns related to safety, compliance, and general regulation. The operation focused on identifying risks, enforcing compliance standards, and improving the overall safety of the busy commuter hub.

The LED team also engaged with local traders, assisting residents in securing hawkers’ permits and ensuring all informal and formal traders are compliant with permit regulations. This support is part of the municipality’s broader efforts to stabilise trading environments, strengthen local business practices, and promote legal, regulated economic activity.

Municipal leadership noted that these actions form part of an ongoing strategy to combat the crime pandemic in the CBD of Potchefstroom, while ensuring that public spaces remain safe, orderly, and well-regulated for all residents, commuters, and businesses.

Final Thought

Both the planned Ventersdorp power outage and the Ward 24 safety operation reflect the JB Marks Municipality’s continued focus on infrastructure upgrades, service delivery improvements, and community safety. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, plan for scheduled disruptions, and cooperate with regulatory initiatives aimed at creating safer and more functional public spaces.