Residents have voiced their frustration over the inoperative streetlights on Kelkiewyn Road, Helikon Park, as they urge the municipality to carry out repairs.
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According to one resident, Ockhert Vermeulen, the streetlights on this particular street were nonfunctional for more than six months. When night falls, Vermeulen is especially worried about the potential for criminal activity.
He noted that most of the streetlights are missing their metal handhole plates, exposing the cables. Vermeulen emphasised that these cables are either stolen or damaged. This causes him to fear for the safety of not only children but also the residents who use the street daily.
I do not want to pick up a child in the street that has been electrocuted,” he expressed.
Vermeulen is calling on the municipality to repair the streetlights or, at the very least, cover the exposed cables.
“Leaving these lights unfixed makes the possibility of crime greater,” he said.
Another resident, Riaan Coetzer, mentioned it is a big concern that nothing is being done to fix the lights.
“There was someone suspicious in the street last night and the dogs kept barking. The problem is that we could not see what was happening. It is a huge concern for us as residents of this street. They [municipality] have to do something. We pay taxes, but this is the services we get,” Coetzer argued.
Resident Moosa Salojee, who also lives on the street, stated that the matter has become a serious concern.
The road is very dark at night, which creates both a safety and security risk.
“In addition, the lack of lighting has made the area more vulnerable to criminal activity, leaving the community anxious,” he said.
Salojee urged the relevant authorities to prioritise the repair of the streetlights.
“Restoring proper lighting will greatly improve visibility, enhance safety for motorists and bring peace of mind to residents in the area,” he requested.
The Randfontein Herald reached out to Rand West City Local Municipality spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa for comment. No response had been received by the time of publication, but any feedback will be published once it is received.
