Metal street light covers are the new targets of opportunistic thieves and, according to reports, these thieves are targeting the suburbs of Newlands, Menlyn and Garsfontein.
Residents’ reports to the Tshwane metro that the covers had gone missing fell on death ears. Street poles with exposed cables are now a new concern for residents, who fear that a lack of response from the metro to replace the stolen metal covers with plastic covers will result in damage to the street lights.
Resident Ivor Foster told Rekord that he had contacted the metro on numerous occasions to report the missing covers. “I have no idea when the metro will respond to our reports, I know my neighbours have also reported the stolen covers. Meanwhile, the wires are exposed. The wires are being damaged and children can get hurt if they stick their curious little hands near them. This is a security concern,” he said.
In Newlands, resident Charmain Peu told Rekord that her street was in the dark after all the street lights were damaged due to the metal covers on the poles being stolen. “I reported the stolen covers to the metro and was given a reference number two weeks ago.
“When I phoned back last week, as the lights died out because of damage to the wiring after the rains, I learned that my reference number had been incorrectly logged. Our street is now a dark passage and the repairs, at this stage, will have to be more than a simple cover replacement.”
The metro was unable to comment at the time of going to print.
