Staff Reporter
Several parts of the northern Free State will not have electricity for at least five hours on Thursday as Eskom plans to fix some high-voltage lines which have been vandalised by unknown people.
Eskom provincial spokesperson Titi Makhetha says at least 10 high-voltage structures have been damaged and are currently lying on the ground, posing a danger to both people and infrastructure.
“Due to the continued vandalism on the 132 kV Everest-Welkom incomer 1 line outside Welkom . . . Eskom has experienced further damage to 10 of its high-voltage structures which are currently lying on the ground, with one structure leaning dangerously towards a live line,” said Makhetha.
Areas to be affected by the power outage include Bronville, Voorspoed, Welkom CBD, Doorn and the Welkom industrial area.
They will not have electricity from about 9am to 2pm.
“This criminal behaviour is not only posing a threat to life, but has affected continuity of supply,” added the spokesperson.
Makhetha said Eskom has to undertake the emergency work to protect its assets, ensure continued supply of electricity and the community’s safety.
Welkom and the surrounding areas, which are popular for gold, diamonds, uranium and coal mining, need a reliable supply of electricity at all times to sustain these key economic activities.
The Welkom region also forms part of the country’s Maize Triangle, which stretches over three provinces, namely the Free State, Mpumalanga and the North West.
The irrigated crop heavily relies on good power supplies.