The Ekurhuleni metro says it is aware that several solar-powered streetlights in Boksburg had been damaged, and that criminals appear to be behind the vandalism and thefts.
This comes after residents in the affected areas complained that they are being ambushed by criminals because the streetlights designed to light their roads are not working.
The streetlights on Market Street in Boksburg East and Rondebult Road towards Sunward are among the areas plagued with a series of street lighting faults, which have been blamed on theft.
According to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe, the streetlights have been vandalised on various occasions within a week of being repaired, saying this includes thefts of solar panels, possibly for resale to unsuspecting buyers.
Shining more lights on the importance of communities’ involvement in protecting the city’s infrastructure from vandals and thieves, Gadebe said: “Crime is a societal problem that requires all sectors of society to address, and the City’s funds are limited, making it not feasible to deploy guards for the lights.”
He said the metro is using its community outreach programmes such as Siyaqhuba to sensitise communities about caring for public resources.
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