Witivoor Street has turned into a small dark street in Brackendowns, which leaves many residents complaining about criminal activities.
According to a group of residents non-operational street lights, which have been dysfunctional for years, contributed to these incidents.
Residents claim the street lights work for about four or five nights every second month periodically, then go off again.
Graham Harrison, who has lived on the street for 44 years, said the problem has deteriorated over the previous years.
“This has been an ongoing problem. The metro does come and fix it and it will only work for a few weeks.”
An elderly couple George and Annetjie Cooper, whose belongings were stolen from their home earlier in the year, said darkness in the street subjects them to crime.
“In January this year, they climbed over the fence and took our things. They stole a lawnmower, a bicycle and a few other items which cost us thousands of rands,” explained Cooper.
On the morning of April 19, Mike Richards woke up to find all the wheels from his bakkie were stolen.
“I realised all the wheels including a spare wheel were taken from my car. It’s the darkness in the street that causes the problem even though I do have my own lights. It’s not sufficient for security companies to see clearly when they do patrols. We have had in the past things taken from our garage twice and we believe it’s a problem,” said Richards.
He also told the RECORD that so far he had to spend R7 000 on security beams and is now considering upgrading his security.
According to the City of Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, streetlights play a key role in the fight against crime.
“They also play a role in the provision of secondary lighting on the roads as an intervention to curtail road accidents. However, primary lighting requirements for road users should be vehicle lights as prescribed in the National Road Traffic Act, Regulation 159 for roadworthy vehicles,” he said.
Dlamini reiterated that complaints must be lodged at the call centre and a reference number is then issued for the relevant department to respond.
“We appeal to the community at large to assist us with any incriminating information of any incidents in the area. We are working alongside security sectors in the community to combat crime,” said WO Gerhard Cornelius, spokesperson for Brackendowns SAPS.
Contact Brackendowns SAPS on 011 617 5612 or 011 617 5613, alternatively contact 10111.
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