NIGEL – The collapsed pylon that caused a major power outage in June could potentially happen again.
This time, however, the effects of a collapsed pylon might be felt in other parts of Ekurhuleni as well due to the discovery of more damaged and vandalised pylons on the property of the old Marievale mines near the Grutte Bush Pub outside of town.
The Nigel 4×4 Club visited the area about a month ago when they first noted the pylons being vandalised. The club’s members and the co-founders of Earth Owl, Roché Pepler and Santana Pestana, visited the site again on August 8.
“We want to create awareness by visiting the site and checking on the pylons,” said Len Powell, spokesperson of the club.
“We reported the state of these pylons to the relevant parties, but up until now nothing has been done to rectify the situation and we feel it is not being taken seriously.”
Powell and the rest of the club fears the potential collapse of another pylon might cause greater damage than that of the previously collapsed pylon.
“If one of these pylons near the old mines collapse, other parts of Ekurhuleni might be without power as these lines feed them. Areas like Springs may well be the next to be affected.
“It is, therefore, crucial that we make our community members and businesses aware of the situation in order to resolve it.”
The club invited Pepler and Pestana along for the latest ‘pylon-run’, as the company is often involved with the environment and community development.
“It affects us considerably, especially when it comes to our community development projects,” Pepler explained.
“Situations like these with the pylons often stand in the way of implementing our projects and makes our mission in uniting the community all the more difficult.
“So naturally we would want to be involved and help stop something such as a potential pylon collapse from happening again.”
Pepler believes that although this situation is still a potential problem, it will become a definite problem if it is not dealt with sooner rather than later.
“What we need to understand is that it is massive structures,” she continued.
“We saw about four of them that have been vandalised or damaged in some way. These massive structures are standing on very little steel.
“I think when the August winds pick up, it might be too much for these structures to handle.”
Pepler stressed the long-term effects of another major power outage on businesses and large companies.
“Companies that were affected by the previous power outage lost a lot of money every day,” she explained.
“Another outage might prove to be too much for a lot of companies, which will inevitably result in more job losses instead of job creation.
“That is not even to mention what would happen to those families who will suffer both physically and financially if this happens again.
“I really hope and expect that the right people take note of the issue and begin to work on the problem. They need to stop it at its root – theft of steel.”
For more information, Len Powell may be contacted on 083 929 8819 and Roché Pepler on 060 482 1280.
