Battle against darkness rages on
Residents were asked when last the lights in their streets had worked. Some claimed certain street lights had been out of order for 20 years.
LYDENBURG – For years this town has literally been left in the dark. More than half of the street lights do not work.
With cable theft a growing concern, electricians of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) told the newspaper that non-functioning street lights are a major contributor. “It is completely dark in the early hours of the morning. No one can see the thieves and it is the ideal time to steal the cables,” said one of the electricians.
The newspaper has brought this issue to the attention of TCLM before. Why are the street lights not working, does TCLM have equipment to fix the lights, and is anything being done regarding the issue?Residents were asked when last the lights in their streets had worked. Some claimed certain street lights had been out of order for 20 years. Elaine Wittstock said that no lights had been on in her street for the past five months. “My husband fell twice in the dark on his way to catch the bus.” According to Conrad Scheepers (
Residents were asked when last the lights in their streets had worked. Some claimed certain street lights had been out of order for 20 years.
Elaine Wittstock said that no lights had been on in her street for the past five months. “My husband fell twice in the dark on his way to catch the bus.” According to Conrad Scheepers (
According to Conrad Scheepers (snr), he is unsure if lights have ever worked in Potgieter Street. Adéle Geldenhuys said that it has been more than six years. “We had to redirect lights from our house to have some form of light near the road.”
Another resident, Karen le Roux, said they have been living here for six years and that most of the lights have never worked. Bianka du Preez claimed that “Street lights in Noord Street have been nonexistent for 15 years.”
Toinette Finlay Keel said, “Is there such a thing in Lydenburg? Wow.”
Past Andre Hanekom said that the lights have been off in his street for nine years.
TCLM responded to the questions about the non-functioning lights and said daily cable theft contributed towards the problems with of some street lights in town.
“Seventy per cent of street light fittings are old and need to be replaced with the latest technologies. You can have bulbs but if the fittings are not working it does not help.” Old fittings were replaced with LED fittings in Voortrekker and Viljoen streets and those lights are apparently burning.
“Regardless, overhead lines and aluminium conductors are being stolen in Voortrekker Street,” said the municipality. However, it said that it does have a solution to the problem. “TCLM received a grant to retrofit normal street lights with energy-saving street lights. The project was advertised and tender applications closed on August 3. The allocated grant will be used towards replacing some of the street light fittings in town. Street light panels for lights in Voortrekker and Viljoen streets will be reset.
“A strategy is needed to combat cable theft in Lydenburg. Scrap metal dealers should be involved in the strategy to fight cable theft,” TCLM said.
