Significant parts of Pretoria east and north are still without electricity following the collapse of a number of electricity pylons during a storm on Sunday night.

The collapse of the pylons, partly due to vandalism, also resulted in the closure of the N4 in both directions because of electricity cables on the highway and trucks caught up in the destruction.

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On Tuesday morning, Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler confirmed that the metro had written an urgent letter to Eskom in which he requested the power utility to assist the municipality with labour, materials and equipment in a bid to fast-track the restoration of power to areas that are still affected by the massive outage.

City of Tshwane said there was suspected vandalism of the pylons along the N4 east freeway between Solomon Mahlangu and Simon Vermooten roads, which collapsed and severely damaged at least seven power line structures.

“The power lines were strewn along the road surface, forcing the closure of the N4 freeway. The City’s Energy and Electricity team worked with speed to complete the clearing of the freeway, which was reopened for traffic around 5pm yesterday [Monday],” it said.

Electricity pylons, Eskom, City of Tshwane

A truck that was damaged on the N4 after nearby electricity pylons collapsed on Sunday night in Pretoria. Image: Supplied, Pro Medical.

However, Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink was more forthright about the cause of the pylons collapse on Sunday.

Clear evidence

Brink said he had a high-level briefing from the City Manager and his team, including the Head of Electricity and the Metro Police, who explained that there is clear evidence that at least three of the pylons “were attacked by criminals who sought to vandalise them or to strip metal from these pylons”.

“It was a suspicion before. It is now clear that is the proximate cause of the collapse of these pylons and obviously the pressure and momentum carried forward and knocked out several other pylons and created the situation that we have now,” the Tshwane Mayor added.

Brink said the repair project will happen by milestones but emphasised there is no credible estimated time for the restoration of electricity.

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“I have to stress that because of the extent of the damage and the nature of this project and the requirement of support from Eskom in particular, which has the expertise and the supplies on hand that the city does not have, it is very difficult to give a credible estimate of how long it is going to take to restore electricity to all affected areas,” he said.

City of Tshwane, Eskom, Electricity pylons

Evidence of vandalism and metal theft on the pylons. Image: Supplied

The Tshwane Metro said on Tuesday morning that the city’s team, together with Eskom and service providers, will begin in earnest the geotechnical studies of testing the soil, digging and clearing the servitude.

It added that Eskom will assist in dismantling and removing the damaged pylons and power lines, noting that the design aspects are also being finalised before Eskom brings the new pylons to the site.

“Tshwane has also submitted the wayleave application to Sanral and Gautrans to enable the technicians to work on the N4 and Solomon Mahlangu Drive, respectively,” it said.

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The Tshwane Metro provided a list of 19 areas or suburbs where electricity has been successfully restored but indicated there are still 33 areas or suburbs where electricity has still not been restored.

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They include Baviaanspoort Prison, Eersterust, Mamelodi, Garsfontein, Kameeldrift, Kilner Park, Queenswood, Silverton, Silverton, Waltloo, Waverly and Woodhill.

The Tshwane Metro said the city is prioritising fixing the Pumulani substation, which feeds Mamelodi and other areas that are still out.

“If needs be, we may be forced to implement rotational loading in the areas that are still outstanding. Consumers are advised that some areas that have been restored may experience a possible trip,” it noted.

“The city is also exploring back-feeding Silverton, Koedoespoort and Riviera – all the way up to Waltloo.

“The estimated time for restoration for the outstanding areas is not available yet. The city will keep its consumers updated on the developments and apologises for the inconvenience caused,” Tshwane Metro added.

Back-feeding

Themba Fosi, a member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Utility Services and Regional Operation & Coordination, provided an explanation on Monday on the attempt at “back-feeding” electricity to certain areas.

Fosi said although the damage done to the City’s electricity network by this collapse is serious, the design of the electricity network allows for the possibility of back-feeding electricity from other substations to parts of the affected area.

“Our technical teams are exploring whether isolation of the damaged parts of the network can occur to allow restoration of some areas sooner. However, this is only possible where our network technically allows for it, which is going to be a minority of the affected network,” he added.

Fosi also confirmed that the damage to the electricity network is serious and at least partially appears to be the work of criminals.

He said the acting Chief of Policy in the City of Tshwane is deploying Tshwane Metro Police Department resources to ensure no further criminality occurs to the electricity network and to prevent further damage and delays on restoration.


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