A ticking time bomb, says engineer

Lives could be lost.

Da Ward Councillor pretends to lend support to the failing pylon. (Photo: Riaan van Zyl)

According to a retired mechanical engineer, who asked to remain anonymous, a failing electricity pylon on Wilgerood Road is a disaster waiting to happen.

The engineer supplied the Record with a concise report titled Helderkruin time bomb: A concise engineering report on failed power pylon – Wilgerood Road in which he claims the following about three pylons on the middleman just past the Ouklip and Wilgerood Roads intersection:

• Pylon 1 (see photo): Strong pylon supporting power cables with big change of angle. Still intact

• Pylon 2 (see photo): This pylon is very dangerous and can be classified as ‘failed’

• Pylon 3 (see photo): Pylon showing signs of collapse because of extra strain due to failed Pylon 2

A crude aerial photo of where the pylons are located. (Photo: Supplied)

• City Power: City Power has been aware of this deteriorating situation for at least 18 months without taking action

• Critical danger: Should the power lines fall during high winds, lives will be lost on the busy Wilgerood Road. Major repairs can now be done but after total failure large areas could be without power for weeks.

The Record passed on the report to City Power spokesperson Yumna Sheik who said, “We will send it to the different units at City Power responsible for this, to be investigated”.

DA councillor for the area in which the pylons are situated, Carl Mann, also weighed in on the potential threat.

“First of all I would like to thank the engineer who has alerted us to this problem. I have now escalated the problem to the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for infrastructure, Tshidi Mfikoe, the Managing Director (MD) of City Power, Sicelo Xulu, as well as the DA shadow MMC for Infrastructure, Ralf Bittkau and we will continue to follow this up. It is unacceptable and unfortunately a frequent occurrence, not only in the city but also in the country. The ANC is just not delivering and our infrastructure is crumbling and falling apart,” said Mann.

“Money is being used and wasted in places it should not be and residents of Johannesburg are suffering because of this,” he concluded.

The Record is awaiting City Power’s investigation results and has asked the service entity to supply it with a time frame as to taking action should the claims are found to be legitimate.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.