Tshwane pylon collapse linked to criminal vandalism

GAUTENG – The following video gives an idea of how severe the collapsed set of pylons are. Criminality was the likely cause of the collapse of seven pylons, which supported 132kV powerlines, on the N4 in Pretoria on Sunday night, according to City of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink. “There are now clear indications that at least three of the pylons had been vandalised. So, indeed, there are strong indications that criminality played a role here,” he said in an update on Monday.

The collapsed pylons caused a car pile-up on the N4 which left at least two people injured. The vandalism that occured has left seventeen (17) suburbs without power, and there is no estimated completion time for repairs. The N4 was later reopened on Monday afternoon for motorists. The City of Tshwane is also investigating a photo that accompanied a tweet posted last year to warn of a possible collapse. It is probing whether the powerline in the tweet is indeed one situated in the area where the collapse occurred.