Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
(1) Whether the City of Cape Town has an oversight role over any Eskom infrastructure, such as the collapsed pylon in Wingate, Sunningdale Drive, Velderama, Table View; if not, why not; if so, (a) what kind of oversight role does the City has over a parastatal’s infrastructure, such as Eskom, and the maintenance thereof by the relevant departments, (b) in which manner is the oversight role exercised, (c) what were the reasons for the lack of adequate oversight over infrastructure and the maintenance thereof by the relevant departments, (d) in which manner can the City of Cape Town correct and address any future infrastructure and maintenance issues;
(2) whether there are action plans in place to ensure that all other pylons are inspected for the same structural defects and that the problems are timeously solved in order to prevent a repetition of this potentially disastrous event; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether there are measures in place to ensure that Eskom complies with stipulated regulation regarding the upkeep and maintenance of their infrastructure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) who is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of Eskom’s infrastructure (a) in and on the City of Cape Town’s property servitude where Eskom has infrastructure on City property and (b) rural areas servitudes where Eskom has infrastructure on private property;
(5) whether inspections are done on a regular basis to ascertain whether Eskom’s infrastructure needs maintenance or repairs to ensure the ongoing support of a healthy and growing economy and job creation; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(6) what are the responsibilities of (a) Eskom, (b) the national government, (c) the provincial government and (d) municipalities and ward councillors with regard to the upkeep and maintenance of Eskom’s infrastructure?
(1) The City of Cape Town has no oversight role over the infrastructure of Eskom. As the infrastructure fall within a servitude area, Eskom is solely responsible for their maintenance and safety with no responsibility for the City of Cape Town.
(2) The City of Cape Town communicates with Eskom on a regular basis and is aware of action plans in place to ensure that all other pylons are inspected for the same structural defects so that the problems can timeously be solved in order to prevent a repetition of this potentially disastrous event.
(3) There are no measures in place on the City’s side except for communication on a regular basis.
According to Eskom, they have a maintenance regime for all its networks, including pylons. Annual audits are conducted by both the regulator (NERSA) and Eskom to check compliance.
(4) Eskom is solely responsible for inspection and maintenance of their entire infrastructure.
According to Eskom, their license conditions require them to inspect and maintain its own equipment.
(5) Inspections are done by Eskom on a regular basis to ascertain whether their infrastructure needs maintenance or repairs. Liaison between municipalities and Eskom (in areas where Eskom is involved) take place on a regular basis regarding all development affecting the health of the economy and job creation.
(6) Eskom is solely responsible for the maintenance and safety of their infrastructure.
According to Eskom, their sole shareholder is Government. Eskom’s budgets are approved by National Treasury, including maintenance budget and tariffs are approved by NERSA. They have sole accountability for the maintenance of its assets. Provincial and Local Government, as stakeholders, are engaged regularly as to Eskom’s performance in the Province.
