BUSINESSES in a stretch of Umbilo Road have been hit by criminals as a result of street lights not working in the area for almost seven months.
Business owner, George Norval, speaking on behalf of other businesses in the area, explained that the street lights from the intersection of Rick Turner Road down Umbilo Road to the Engen garage have been out of order for nearly seven months.
“I have done everything possible to have this rectified. I handed a letter to a woman at the Metro Electrical Engineers’ Office more than two months ago and have had no response. Recently, we managed to get through to the faults department at Metro and were told us to take down the street pole numbers that were faulty and to fax them to the department,” he said.
Norval said while the street lights have been out, the fuses from the mini substation in Umbilo Road have also been removed and recently there had been a power outage in the area which lasted two days.
“This lead to loss in production for businesses in the area. Students living in the flats arrived home from lectures in the dark and are often accosted and robbed. The locks on the substation need to be replaced,” he said.
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According to Norval, as a result of the area being dark at night, other crimes are being committed under cover of darkness. Manhole covers have been stolen, one of which is part of a swer line which now posts a health hazard and danger to pedestrians. He said a metal sign at the Cancer Association had been stolen as well as copper plates from the roof at St Cyprian’s Church.
“Recently an attempt was made to remove security gates from our premises as well. Add the cost of the security firm which charges every time they come out, more than five call outs per month, and the fact that we have had to hire a security guard at night over December, this situation is unacceptable,” he said.
Councillor Mmabatho Tembe said Norval had contacted her regarding this issue.
“Street lights are not working all over the city, however the municipality doesn’t have a contract at the moment to fix them. It is a city-wide issue and the municipality is only fixing priority roads like the N3. I have contacted the Head of Department about Umbilo roads but he has not responded,” she said.
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