Wayne van der Burgh is one of 11 property owners in Beaulieu who applied last year for a review of Eskom’s erection of power lines on their properties.
Eskom spokesperson Sipho Neke said, “The implication of the removal of the offending H-Pole structures is that the line will be deactivated on 1 November and the work will begin right away. The whole process will be in various steps, from deactivation of the line through to the removal of the pylons.”
Neke added the deactivation of the line is unlikely to cause electricity supply interruptions, and that Eskom is investigating measures to restore the areas’s risk profile to acceptable standards as soon as possible. He added that Eskom proposed to the property owner the installation of a compliant alternative structure but was unable to proceed as the resident rejected the proposal.
Anthony Norton, Van der Burgh’s lawyer, confirmed that Eskom has begun taking power lines down. “My client is very excited that the power lines are being taken down. Eskom proposed that new power lines be put in place of the ones they are removing but we are not going to allow it.”
After the court order Eskom released a statement saying it is “studying the judgement to determine the next course of action”.
A few weeks later, Eskom decided to abide by the order.
“Eskom is investing in infrastructure to upgrade the Midrand area due to high growth in the area.” Neke added.
