Severe thunderstorms that struck Gauteng on Monday have knocked out a number of MTN’s high sites, the mobile operator said on Tuesday.

“Widespread power outages across many parts of Gauteng, as a result of yesterday’s severe storm, have in turn had an impact on some MTN infrastructure,” it said in a statement.

“Mobile generators have been deployed to as many of the affected sites as possible to power the sites and restore connectivity for our customers. Despite these efforts, approximately 80 sites remain without power,” it said in the statement, issued at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

“MTN South Africa is working diligently to restore services to those customers affected by this ferocious storm. We have activated our business continuity plan to ensure that services are maintained at the levels consumers and business customers expect,” said MTN South Africa executive for corporate affairs Jacqui O’Sullivan.

“The Yaldwyn power station that caught fire in Jetpark, in the east of Johannesburg, has also resulted in extensive power outages. Most of our transmission network and radio networks are equipped with battery backup and in some cases mobile generators,” O’Sullivan said.

“However, these are short-term solutions, so we are doing all we can to support the necessary power supply repairs that will get our services back up and running for our customers,” she said. — (c) 2017 NewsCentral Media