IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVE MABONA,Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson

The Gauteng Department of Health has reassured patients, staff and members of the public following a minor fire incident involving a standby generator at Bertha Gxowa Hospital. The incident occurred on the morning of [date], following a power outage that affected the surrounding central business district area at approximately 04:08. The hospital’s primary standby generator automatically switched on to maintain electricity supply to the facility. At around 08:00, a mechanical fault involving the generator’s turbo component caused a minor fire within the generator system. The hospital’s technical team responded quickly, contained the fire and isolated the affected generator. The hospital’s secondary standby generator was activated as part of its contingency measures, ensuring that electricity supply continued while the external power supply was being restored. The Department confirmed that there was no disruption to patient care, emergency services, theatre operations or other essential hospital functions. No patients, staff members or visitors were injured, and no damage was reported to hospital infrastructure apart from the affected generator component. 10:35 Local Fire and Rescue Services were also called as a precautionary measure. Upon arrival, emergency personnel confirmed that the fire had already been extinguished and commended the hospital team for its swift response. The Department says technical teams are assessing the affected generator, with repairs to be carried out according to established maintenance procedures. The incident gained public attention after videos circulated on social media, but authorities have assured the public that the situation was contained and patient safety was never compromised. Instagram · Twitter