Pretoria power crisis: Eskom replaces collapsed pylons with massive monopoles

Eskom has started work to restore power and repair damage after seven pylons collapsed in the City of Tshwane on Sunday night. Vandalism has been linked to at least three of the seven damaged pylons, which collapsed along the N4 freeway. It led to a massive power outage, with over 40 suburbs still without power on Tuesday night, News24 reported. The outage also led to the car manufacturer Ford closing its plant. This is an output loss of 720 vehicles a day. Eskom is assisting the City and has provided three monopoles which are already on site, said Daphne Mokwena, the utility's interim spokesperson. The monopoles differ from the pylons in that the base is solid concrete, with the bottom being thicker than the top, said Mokwena. The foundation on which they are mounted is also made of concrete. With pylons, the tower members (near the bottom) are targeted by thieves. When these are stolen, then it is easier for pylons to collapse when there is wind, Mokwena explained.