N1 cable theft darkens parts of Tshwane
Several suburbs in the east of Tshwane were without power on Wednesday morning due to the theft of a cable in a tunnel under the N1 highway.
Tshwane’s emergency teams said they were racing around the clock, implementing interventions to expedite power restoration to areas, including Alphen Park and Ashley Gardens.
The capital city’s Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, made an oversight visit on Tuesday evening to the site near the N1 following a cable theft and vandalism incident in the area on Sunday.
According to the city, difficulties impeding the team’s work in the tunnel include high levels of toxic gas, which must be managed delicately to ensure a safe work environment.
“While on site, I was briefed by the City’s emergency teams and regional operation officials about the interventions being made to speedily replace the cables and restore power,” said Moya.
Tshwane has further requested technical assistance, including layout drawings of the tunnel located under the N1 Highway, from the South African National Roads Agency.
“The City’s Emergency Services Department has conducted safety inspections on site which show that methane and CO2 gas levels are detectable in the tunnel,” the city’s statement read. “The oxygen levels are too low to sustain human presence inside the tunnel.”
Moya has assured residents that the gas is contained within the tunnel and does not pose an immediate threat to residents.
“We do not have an estimated restoration time for the replacement of the cables and the restoration of power.”
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