city of tshwane denies fake message as viral power outage alert causes confusion across the metro

It started like so many things do these days—with a viral message.

On Thursday night, residents in Tshwane began sharing a warning about a major power outage supposedly scheduled for Friday, 13 June.

The message claimed a transformer shutdown would leave homes and businesses without electricity and warned of serious consequences across the city.

But as it turns out, none of it was true.

City of Tshwane Shuts Down Rumors Swiftly

The City of Tshwane didn’t waste time in clearing things up.

Officials issued a strong denial, stating clearly that no scheduled power outage was planned for that date.

The alert, they confirmed, was completely fake and had not been sent out by any city department.

To reassure the public, the city reminded residents how they share legitimate updates—through official platforms only.

That includes the city’s website, its verified Facebook page, X (formerly Twitter), and formal press releases on official letterhead.

No Reason to Panic, Says the City

According to the fake alert, both residents and businesses were being advised to brace for impact—making arrangements for power loss and preparing for widespread disruptions.

But the City stepped in quickly to call out the message for what it was: misinformation.

“Please ignore this fake news,” the city urged, emphasizing that no such outage had been communicated or approved.

A Call to Be Cautious and Stay Informed

City officials didn’t just stop at a denial—they encouraged residents to be proactive in the fight against misinformation.

People were urged to double-check sources before sharing any alarming messages and to stick to trusted, official channels when looking for service updates.

Here’s What You Should Do If You See a Suspicious Message

If you come across a questionable alert or someone pretending to be a city official, the City of Tshwane wants to hear about it.

They’re asking residents to report anything suspicious directly to the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department at 012 358 7095/6.

This kind of false information isn’t new—Tshwane has faced similar issues before.

That’s why the city keeps pushing for community cooperation when it comes to stopping fake news before it spreads.

Let’s Keep Each Other Informed, Not Alarmed

We all play a part in how information travels.

Before you hit “share” on that next forwarded message, take a moment to verify it.

You might just stop a wave of confusion in its tracks.