Pylons will deface Alberton
Even though DA councillors and Ekurhuleni Town Planning strongly opposed the construction of pylons through the Alberton CBD, ESKOM seems to be going ahead with their plans.
ALBERTON- Even though DA councillors and Ekurhuleni Town Planning strongly opposed the construction of pylons through the Alberton CBD, Eskom seems to be going ahead with their plans.
also read: Alberton CBD pylons “not acceptable”
“In 2008 Eskom first made an announcement that a high power line would be erected from Jupiter to Matla, never mentioning Alberton or the surrounding areas so no notice was taken of it. I saw a notice and called a meeting which was held on October 7 in 2010,” says DA councillor Bruna Haipel.
“At the meeting the consulting firm for Eskom, Aurecon, said that they would get back to the interested parties as to the proposed route of the pylons, which at that stage comprised of three suggestions. However in 2014, Aurecon approached six residents in Alberton North and made an offer to purchase their properties for erection of the pylons. Since 2010 no more meetings have been held with councillors or concerned residents to discuss the proposed routes.
Related article: Public outcry about proposed power lines
“We understand the need for power but it is the way that this was handled that we object to,” says Bruna.
The objections are mounting and more councillors from affected areas are becoming involved. Shauné le Roux, councillor from Ward 31, wrote the following to Gordon Mackay, the political head for the Brakpan Constituency and Energy spokesperson: “It has come to my attention through Councillor Bruna Haipel that an Eskom power line will be constructed through my ward, Ward 31, specifically Dalpark Extension one. With reference to this project, council resolution dictates that whenever there is a project in a councillor’s ward, the relevant ward councillor must be notified in order for proper public participation to take place. I have never received any documentation or formal notification of this project.
“Furthermore the chairperson of the residents association in Dalpark Extension one, Bart Zaayman, notified me via SMS that Eskom offered to buy the property on the corner of the R554 and the R21. The owner was reportedly requested to keep quiet about the offer and asked to not tell the neighbours. This illustrates Eskom’s blatant disregard for protocol and it is clear that the correct procedures have not been followed.”
A motion against the pylons has been submitted by Clr Haipel to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) and Shauné is in the process of submitting a petition to Natasha Mazzoni, the DA spokesperson for Public Enterprises.
The health risk of pylons has been debated for years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently running an Electromagnetic Field (EMF) project in which research needs are identified and a world-wide program of EMF studies are being coordinated to allow for a better understanding of any health risk associated with EMF exposure. Particular emphasis is placed on possible health consequences of low-level EMF exposure. These unsightly pylons is likely to interfere with property values and may deface the landscape of Alberton.
The RECORD approached the ESKOM media desk for comment but have not received any feedback to date.
