Financial strains delay repair of street lights

Residents claimed the lack of lighting in suburban areas has contributed to crime and theft in the area, as darkness paved the way for criminals to operate without being seen.

June 12, 2017

Zianne Leibrandt 1 minute read

Under normal operations, the department was contracted to conclude and fix faults within six days after receipt of complaint.

For months on end, Newcastillians have been raising concerns over the amount of faulty and broken street lights around town.

Residents claimed the lack of lighting in suburban areas has contributed to crime and theft in the area, as darkness paved the way for criminals to operate without being seen.

The Newcastle Advertiser finally received response on the matter from the Newcastle Municipality on May 25, after initially addressing the issue on March 17.

Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Sipho Sibeko, confirmed there was a large number of faulty lights, and said the municipality was trying to resolve the problems as efficiently as possible.

“The municipality has already fixed more than 160 faulty lights, which is about 23 per cent of the weekly faults reported. The complaints are genuine and we are currently behind schedule with repairs due to financial constraints and lack of public lighting personnel. We hope to have the personnel problem resolved by July in the new financial year.”

Sibeko claimed maintenance was being done in all areas, and faults were prioritised by age (FIFO System), and not by area.

“Under constrained situations, certain faults are skipped.”

He said under normal operations, the department was contracted to conclude and fix faults within six days after receipt of complaint.