Elsburg man questions CoE about streetlights, hall renovations
City's spokesperson Dlamini said maintaining working streetlights requires the community to stop vandalism.
The community of Elsburg expressed their disappointment about the level of service delivery in their community. Resident Prince Rulashe questioned the City of Ekurhuleni about the exclusion of SMMEs for the renovation of Elsburg Hall.
He also demanded answers to streetlights that are not working. “It’s been about five years without a functioning hall leading to holding community meetings and arts and culture activities under trees. As rate-paying residents we fail to understand how a small hall can take five years to be renovated and when it’s finally getting renovated, the community is not involved,” said Rulashe.
“We demand a turnaround time on when the hall will be completed and handed to the residents of Elsburg,” said Rulashe.
Hall renovations
He said the hall renovation project has not offered SMMEs an opportunity to make money or employ locals.
“It is shocking to know that not a single local business has benefited through the hall renovations. Unemployment is high and yet locals were not offered this opportunity.”
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City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamin said the project started last year November and was supposed to take three months.
“It was scheduled to be completed between late February and early March. The construction was delayed by 15 working days due to rainfall during January and February,” said Dlamini. Dlamini said local businesses benefited from the project.
“The estimated amount for the project is R3 741 187. The final amount will be announced after the final handover of the site,” said Dlamini.
He said the following was refurbished at Elsburg Hall:
- Replacement of suspended timber floors.
- Wall and floor tiling, internal and external painting.
- Replacement of damaged ceiling boards.
- Replacement of damaged doors.
- Replacement of door locks.
- Installation of security bars and mesh.
- Installation of canopies.
- Internal plaster and screeds.
- Repairing and waterproofing of roofs.
- Installation of electrical works including rewiring and electrical fittings.
- Replacement of window panes.
- Replacement of mirrors.
- Installation of security a fence.
- Street lights.
Crime and streetlights
Rulashe also expressed concern about crime. “Elsburg has many dark streets and it is not helping in the fight against crime.” He said the dark streets are putting residents at risk. Dlamini said maintaining working streetlights requires the community to stop vandalism.
“The city relies on community reports, in addition to other service interruption alert platforms, to identify and fix faulty streetlights. “However when streetlights are constantly damaged by the community through vandalism, illegal connections and cable theft, the city finds it difficult to keep up with the high demand to repeatedly fix streetlights,” said Dlamini.
He added that government resources are limited and the rotational shift system necessitated by the pandemic has an effect. “Limited staff also result in delays in attending to streetlights,” said Dlamini.
He urged residents to contribute to safeguarding electrical infrastructure.
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