Non-functional streetlights in Sunnyridge and Gerdview become a concern

Harland Quin, a resident of Gerdview, voiced his complaints about the area’s poor accessibility to services.

He listed the services that the city has been neglecting over the last few months.

Since October, the majority of Sunnyridge and Gerdview have been without street lights.

“Using the CoE app, residents have reported the problems and have been provided with reference numbers.

“We have been informed that the problems have been resolved, but no action has been taken. We have frequently brought these problems to the attention of our ward councillor,” said Quin.

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“Regretfully, because the area is gloomy at night, crime in the Gerdview area has increased.

“A resident of Elberfield Road was shot and a residence on Amsterdam Street was broken into.

“Residents have also noticed a significant decline in police patrols in the neighbourhood.”

“Residents have frequently taken it upon themselves to visit the energy department to resolve power outages, only to become enraged by the staff’s seeming idleness and engage in verbal and physical altercations with them.

“When their money is added to their 90-day power outage or when they grudgingly pay for a stolen overhead cable, Ekurhuleni has accepted it, but the energy department takes three weeks to send someone.”

Quin said that since 2019, his neighbour has been reporting problems with his single streetlight.

“Since then, thieves have taken advantage of the darkness to steal the copper wires connecting the two lights, so what was once just a simple bulb replacement has evolved into a cable replacement for that light and one around the corner.

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“The longer Ekurhuleni takes to resolve a problem, the more ripple effects result in the problem becoming worse.

“The lack of maintenance in Gerdview and Sunnyridge, which was formerly a well-kept neighbourhood where we thought our taxes and rates were worth it, has angered the locals.

“The Finance MMC consistently asserts that Ekurhuleni is the most solvent municipality in Gauteng, even though CoE employees and those at the electricity department tell us there are no funds or cables. This means that someone is lying.”

Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro acknowledged the reduction in services in the community.

He said that the standard of municipal services in his ward has decreased as a result of the CoE’s lack of communication and disregard for the concerns of ordinary people.

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“On other occasions, waste hasn’t been picked up on time, which has been a challenge. In Marlands, it is usually Tuesdays that the garbage is picked up.

“Because the Marlands dump isn’t operating properly, locals frequently phone me to ask where they can dispose of their rubbish.

“Residents have been terrified off the streets by criminal activity. Everybody has their alarms set and is at home when night falls.

“Residents shouldn’t live their lives in this manner. Thieves jump over the walls to steal anything they can, including metal and boxes. It’s unfortunate when now there is someone shot and ends up dead.”

Guerreiro continued, “The ward’s crime rate has increased due to migration and unemployment, and it’s also overwhelming the resources of the two police stations that serve the area.”

The GCN sent a request for comment to the CoE requesting comment by February 2 at 13:00. By the time of going to print no comment had been received.