The seventh high-voltage pylon collapse in less than two years struck Nelson Mandela Bay on Tuesday along the Chelsea-Summerstrand-Arlington 132kV line, causing outages across nearly half of Gqeberha, including Summerstrand and Walmer. Amid a decade of warnings about corroded coastal infrastructure, officials estimate R35-million for upgrades, with repairs underway using new monopoles but full timelines unclear.
The collapse disrupted power to suburbs like Summerstrand—with load rotation—and left Walmer indefinitely without electricity, impacting businesses, tourism hotspots, schools, and exam students.
This marks the seventh incident in under two years, following four pylons near Sardinia Bay in August 2024 (due to winds and corrosion, causing 10-day outages) and two on the Bethelsdorp-Greenbushes line in January after electricity department warnings.
Coastal lines like Chelsea-Summerstrand-Arlington were flagged as vulnerable, yet interventions lagged. Warnings date to 2008 reports on ocean-proximate pylons (per ACDP's Lance Grootboom), with technical manager Clinton Barkes noting advanced corrosion on affected structures since 2016. A replacement plan began that year but stalled post-2018 contract expiry despite budgets. Former acting electricity director Tholi Biyela's October 2024 report cited infighting, corruption, ageing assets, and no funded maintenance amid rising demand. Then-mayor Gary van Niekerk was notified two months before the 2024 incident, but prior contracts lacked service agreements.
An anonymous engineer emphasized early detection via inspections, galvanising, or welding could extend lifespans. Related lines (Bethelsdorp-Greenbushes, Chatty-Rowallan Park) show weakened members, with R9-million needed for six new monopoles. The affected line now requires full replacement due to instability, prompting load reductions and rerouting.
Politics head Ziyanda Mnqokoyi confirmed January risk assessments, with contractors estimating 10 days for restoration. Barkes highlighted vulnerabilities of outdated steel lattice structures in corrosive coastal conditions. Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya detailed progress: by Thursday, monopoles delivered, excavation complete, pole erection scheduled, followed by cable installation.
Critics abound: Grootboom decried leadership turnover and inaction causing tourism revenue losses; Business Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen alarmed at commerce/hospitality hits; DA's Retief Odendaal urged ministerial intervention; Freedom Front Plus's Bill Harington warned of fragility post-prior incident. A February ACDP motion questioned maintenance budgets.