Ballito streetlight audit paints grim picture
Residents expressed dismay over the high number of non-functional streetlights.
Only a fraction more than half of Ballito’s streetlights are in working order.
Addressing the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch’s (BNW) annual general meeting last Wednesday, Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Doccra) committee member Flip Helberg said KwaDukuza municipal employees lacked the equipment needed to repair streetlights effectively.
“Changing a globe is one thing, but when a whole street is affected there is a cable fault and they do no have the tools to test where faults are located. There are many tasks they cannot do.
“But they are trying, and Doccra is addressing this problem with the municipality,” said Helberg.
Helberg also highlighted concerns about businesses in Ballito stealing electricity, which further strains the area’s electrical infrastructure.
Neighbourhood Watch chairman Morné Steffens echoed the concerns, revealing the results of BNW’s recent streetlight audit. Only 347 of 667 Ballito’s streetlights were found in working order.
“That is a mere 52%, and a large number of them stay on permanently which reduce their lifespan. In Ward 6 only 286 streetlight out of 552 work, and in the Ward 30 only 80 out of 115.
“That leaves the municipality with a total of 321 lights to repair, let alone ones that have fallen over or been removed and never replaced,” said Steffens.
He emphasised the urgent need for repairs, especially considering the safety implications for residents, particularly during loadshedding.
Salt Rock’s Ward 22 councillor Privi Makhan, said the situation was similar in her ward with 334 of the 666 street lights not working.
Responding to the concerns, KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said the budget for installing new streetlights had been depleted by December.
He said council would consider its adjustment budget this Wednesday.
“Provision has been made in the adjustment budget for capital expenditure on streetlights so installation of new lights can continue. Current work being carried out in Ward 30 is part of normal minor repairs which is catered for in the operational budget and done by internal staff,” said Zulu.
He added that funds permitting, non-functional streetlights would be fixed.
“This will be done as long as such repairs are considered part of the operational budget. Funds will be available from the date of adoption of the adjustment budget and are aimed to cover the period up to the adoption of the budget for the new financial year,” said Zulu.
Residents are encouraged to report malfunctioning streetlights to the KDM control room via WhatsApp at 060 900 3908, providing the street name and pole number or house number closest to the pole for reference.
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