A resident is at loss for words at how the metro is allowing street lights to burn night and day.
According to the resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, he first complained about burning street lights in Parkdene to the metro on May 10.
“Our street lights and those of surrounding streets up to the Bokkie Park have been on since the end of March 2018. It was then reported by a neighbour,” said the resident.
“Since then I have spoken to our ward councillor telephonically, who promised that it will be seen to straight away.
“This was more than a month ago. The very same issue was reported close to a year ago with the same slack response from various metro departments.
“In the meantime, many streets in Boksburg are left in the dark, with no working street lights at all, while other areas have street lights burning without end.”
The resident sent another email to the metro on May 27, complaining about the ongoing problem.
“More than two weeks later, and still no reply or action. Lights are still on 24 hours a day.”
Although the resident sent numerous emails, the attempts were futile. The lights were still burning day in and day out, forcing the resident to email the metro again on June 4.
“Another week later, street lights are still on 24 hours a day in the Parkdene suburb,” said the resident in his fifth complaint.
“Nothing is being done about our complaints.”
The Advertiser spoke to Ward 32 councillor Marius de Vos who is fully aware of the problem.
“I reported it to Ekurhuleni more than once. The explanation I received from the council was that the lights are kept on to prevent vandalism and people stealing the electric cables from the street lights,” said de Vos.
“It is not that someone forgot to switch the lights on or off, it is more a strategy to keep vandals away,” said de Vos.
According to de Vos, street lights are burning all day and night in several areas in Boksburg, such as Dundee Street and also Commissioner and Leeuwpoort roads.
“Burning street lights are not a new problem in Boksburg,” said de Vos.
De Vos stated that in his personal opinion the burning street lights is malpractice from the council’s side.
“I do understand that the chances are high that people will steal from the street lights if they are off during the day, but at the same time it is costing the council millions of rands to keep the lights burning.”
He said it costs roughly R30 per street light per day to keep the lights burning.
“Therefore, it adds up to a significant amount of money that can be used more effectively in our community.”
No comment has yet been received from the metro.
Also read:
Thieves and vandals are why our streetlights are burning all day
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