Vandalism of streetlights ‘an act of terror’
According to the metro, preventing the theft of public infrastructure is a societal problem that requires everyone to contribute to curbing it.
The streetlights on Rondebult Road have been stripped for copper cable by criminals.
When Boksburg Advertiser recently visited the area, we found streetlights on the ground with no cables inside.
According to Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos, ripping down an entire section of streetlight poles and stripping it of copper cable is not a petty crime but a terrorist attack on vital infrastructure belonging to local government.
“The absence of streetlights across the municipality poses direct harm to road users and is assisting and abetting criminals to ply their trade.
“Thousands of streetlight complaints logged in the recent past have gone unattended to and closed due to a lack of parts in the energy depot storerooms.
“The proxy mayor, Sivuyile Ngodwana, only ‘noted’ serious statements made by visibly concerned councillors, backed by facts relating to streetlight vandalism and theft,” De Vos said.
His view is that, in an ideal municipality, law enforcement would have been deployed to bring the culprits to book.
“In a nutshell, streetlight maintenance is clearly not a priority to the mismanaged Ekurhuleni metro.”
Metro response
The CoE spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said the metro is aware of the vandalism and stripping of streetlights.
“It happens daily in Boksburg. Preventing the theft of public infrastructure is a societal problem that requires everyone to contribute to curbing by either reporting or noting the details of those responsible for the theft,” Dlamini pointed out.
Dlamini said it costs the municipality about R2 400 to repair a streetlight and takes 14 days to repair a damaged light.
“Sometimes it can take longer due to the spare parts not being in stock.”
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