According to media reports, up to 34 areas within the greater Tshwane metropolitan municipality suffered a power outage when at least seven power pylons carrying 132 kV powerlines collapsed near the N4 highway on Sunday (9 April) evening.
The City of Tshwane says the collapsed pylons are badly damaged, and it was unable to advise residents when power would be restored. It is in discussion with Eskom to see how the Transmission Division can assist in restoring power.
Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink says that vandalism may be to blame. He adds that thieves had stolen parts of the power pylons before, and some of these had been replaced, and stolen again.
This weakened the structure to the point that strong winds were able to topple them. The collapse is also believed to have resulted in a multi-vehicle accident on the N4 highway.
The areas affected by the outage include:
- Leeuwfontein
- Sable Hills
- Glenway Estate
- Baviaanspoort Prison
- Kameeldrift
- Derdepoort (Zambezi Manor)
- Pumulani
- Zeekoegat
- Roodepoort [sic — perhaps Roodeplaat?]
- Mamelodi
- Waltloo
- Silverton
- Silver Lakes
- Faerie Glen
- Equestria
- Mooikloof
- Doornpoort
- Waterval
- Grootvlei East
- Grootvlei West
- Bultfontein
- Rooiwal
- Vastfontein extension
- Lyttelton
- Die Hoewes
- Môregloed
- Waverley
- Kilner Park
- Eersterust
- Queenswood
- Bergtuin
- Koedoespoort
- Montana Tuine
- A portion of Moreletapark
The municipality has asked motorists to avoid the N4 highway east between the Solomon Mahlangu and Simon Vermooten off-ramps.
