N4 highway reopened after collapsed cables are cleared
"The 132kv powerlines fell on the N4 freeway at around 21:00 (Sunday) night, which resulted in a power outage affecting large parts of Pretoria East and North."
The Tshwane metro has cleared the N4 eastbound highway of high-voltage power cables after they fell on the road on Sunday evening.
According to a statement by the metro, the N4 highway has been reopened for traffic.
“The 132kv powerlines fell on the N4 freeway at around 21:00 (Sunday) night which resulted in a power outage affecting large parts of Pretoria
East and North,” the statement read.
This incident led to the closure of the N4 freeway east between Solomon Mahlangu and Simon Vermooten on and off-ramps.
ALSO READ: Large parts of Pretoria without power after electricity pylons collapse
“The initial assessment by our energy and electricity team found that at least seven powerline structures have collapsed and are badly damaged.”
The metro said further investigations have revealed that about three pylons were vandalised, which caused the powerlines to collapse and fall on the road, leading to the closure of the highway.
It said it had lost 300 megawatts of power since last night following the vandalism.
Areas that were still without power on Monday afternoon included large parts of the east of Pretoria, including Silverlakes, Faerie Glenn, Equestria and Mooikloof, Mamelodi, parts of Centurion, including Lyttelton and Die Howes, as well as parts of the Moot.
In a video shared on social media, Tshwane executive mayor Cilliers Brink said the metro had approached Eskom to assist in restoring power.
“The city manager has formally reached out to Eskom for assistance with supplies and expertise,” Brink said.
Brink added it was not possible to give a time frame as to when power would be restored.
ALSO READ: Theft, vandalism could be behind the collapse of electricity pylons – mayor
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