Myth vs Fact: Over-development in Ward 56 Leads to Infrastructure Failures
Ward 56 is one of Pretoria’s most established areas, and with that comes a unique challenge: balancing natural growth with ageing infrastructure. Over the past few years, residents have increasingly linked development to power outages, water interruptions, sewer failures, and overloaded roads. But how much of this is true, and how much is misconception? Let’s break it down clearly.
Myth: “New developments are the main reason our power keeps failing.”
Fact: Most electricity failures in Ward 56 come from ageing infrastructure and environmental damage, not only development. Tree overgrowth interfering with overhead lines is a major contributor, with more than 800 trees flagged for trimming across the ward. When storms hit, these weak points become failure points, regardless of nearby development activity.
Myth: “The City approves developments without checking infrastructure capacity.”
Fact: Every new development undergoes a compliance check, including load assessments, traffic impact studies, and sewer capacity evaluations. The real issue is that Ward 56’s infrastructure—much of it decades old—was never designed for modern electricity demand or the density shift we see today.
Myth: “Nothing is being done to fix the underlying problem.”
Fact: Several interventions are already underway. New mini-substations were recently installed in parts of the ward, and additional audits have been requested through the Oversight Committee on Utilities. These upgrades aim to stabilise electricity supply while broader infrastructure reinforcement continues.
The Real Picture
Growth is not the enemy. The challenge is ensuring that infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, and community reporting keep pace with the changing needs of the ward. When residents report faults accurately and promptly, it strengthens the ward’s ability to push for resources and accelerate interventions.
Ward 56 is resilient. With the right information, active community involvement, and ongoing oversight, we can stabilise our infrastructure and support responsible development—without sacrificing reliability or quality of life.
