Streetlights that are non-functioning in and around Marburg are leaving its neighbourhoods in the dark, raising the risk of crime and making residents feel unsafe.

According to residents, for the past several months, many streetlights on several roads have not been working.

“Marburg is dark, and people are being robbed. I hear people shouting for help at night or in the early hours of the morning. It is not nice to live on a road with no streetlights,” said a resident.

Another resident on Deepvale Road said he logged a complaint with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality on July 13 this year. “To date, this matter has not been attended to. Is there any specific reason why more than a month has gone by without service delivery?” he asked.

Ward 17 councillor Ajith Rajaram said he has written to the municipality. “Several streetlights are non-functioning, and some streetlight poles are rotten and have fallen over. Many residents have logged complaints and are waiting.”

Some of the affected roads are Deepvale, Protea, Heron, Mars, Venus, Romsdal, Willow Park, Neptune, Flamboyant, and more.

Other areas facing a similar problem are Umbango, Palmview and Lions Grove.

Rajaram added that residents can escalate unresolved streetlight complaints through the municipality’s electricity section or its 24-hour control room on 039-692-5555.

RNM was contacted for comment, but none was received at the time of going to press.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram