Municipality’s ‘promises’ shed no light as robot havoc continues
"I feel bad about this lack of service delivery because all that our municipality ever does, is making empty promises. It is embarrassing to see that it is not concerned about this serious problem," says local resident, Mr Jabu Masuku.
BURGERSFORT – “We are concerned about the traffic congestion that the town is experiencing on a daily basis due to non- functioning of traffic lights.
“We would like to apologise to all road users for the inconvenience caused, especially during peak hours.
“With Eskom we are addressing the problem and in no time all lights will be back to normal. The municipality also has plans to construct a bypass that will alleviate congestion.”
These were the words uttered by Greater Tubatse Municipality’s (GTM) mayor, Cllr Ralepane Mamekoa, about the current traffic-light situation in town and Praktiseer, at the recent state of the municipality address.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News receives complaints from disgruntled locals about the situation almost every week.
“I feel bad about this lack of service delivery because all that our municipality ever does, is making empty promises. It is embarrassing to see that it is not concerned about this serious problem,” says local resident, Mr Jabu Masuku.
In 2014 GTM’s spokesman
Mr Thabiso Mokoena said, “The control box for Praktiseer traffic lights was stolen and at the moment the matter is in the procurement stage for a contractor to repair.
“Eskom is working on the metering of lights at Tubatse Crossing and Morone Complex, and reconnection will take place after the process.”
Despite residents’ pleas they still remain out of order a year after GTM promised to solve the problem.
The community accused the municipality of neglecting its needs and not taking its safety seriously.
Other motorists complained to the newspaper that GTM was not prepared to address the issue. They feared the municipality was only going to react if lives were lost as a result of the traffic lights.
Taxi associations also joined the fight as they called the Steelburger/Lydenburg News’ offices complaining about the debacle.
Only two lights are operating in town, the one opposite Toyota and the ones opposite the local taxi rank. Six sets of lights do not function in town.
