UPDATE: Slow progress for Ballito streetlight repairs

Despite a contractor being appointed to fix street lights on the Dolphin Coast, the area still remains in the dark.

According to Ballito Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Candice Henderson, 264 street lights had not been working in August last year.

She said more complaints about the darkness had been streaming in from residents during the festive season.

“We have been working with KwaDukuza municipality and the last we heard was that a contractor had been appointed but we have not noticed any lights fixed. During the end of November, we saw a KDM vehicle going around and contractors inspecting the cables but we do not know if the process has begun.”

However, KwaDukuza municipality media liaison Sipho Mkhize said a contract was finalised for a service provider to fix cable faults that were causing electricity outages in Ballito and Salt Rock as well as the street lights. He said work had begun in priority areas at the beginning of December.

“We were working closely with the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch and we decided that the beaches were a priority because of safety during the busy festive season.

“We ensured that the lights were working along the promenade area and in some parts of the residential areas we fixed faults that were identified to us.

“Going forward we are trying to look into a new system that would make it easier to identify where exactly the street lights are not working as in most cases, faults are not reported directly to us but to other organisations or people, hence it results in a bit of confusion.”

Mkhize said street light repairs were carried out at the beginning of December but came to a halt due to the festive season. He said the contractor should resume their duties from next week.

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