Business owner appeals to City to repair streetlights on Riverside Road
One of the roads left in the dark is Riverside Road due to non-functioning streetlights.
IN an effort to address service delivery in eThekwini, Durban mayor Cyril Xaba said the City had committed to repairing thousands of non-functioning streetlights.
Xaba made the announcement after a recent meeting with the executives of ratepayers’ associations in the city.
“To ensure that streetlights are lit, the City has embarked on an intensive programme to repair close to 20 000 streetlights. The City is also working closely with the community crime-fighting structures to curb theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
Also read: Repair work at wastewater treatment works progressing, says City
“We have an obligation to listen to our ratepayers because we want them to be happy customers. Together, we can make this city work, not only for us but also for future generations. Therefore, we are saying, we are in this ship together,” Xaba said.
While the problem has been a longstanding one, residents have also pointed to the darkness on Riverside Road in Umgeni Park.
Tony Farinha, owner of Riverside SPAR, said criminals have also used the cover of darkness to rob people.
“I know of four staff members who’ve been mugged on Riverside Road, mostly in the morning because it’s very dark during winter. We’ve also had customers complain about the darkness. It isn’t safe for residents, pedestrians and staff members. We’ve now gone so far as organising a taxi to drop off staff at the rank in the evenings because it’s not safe. The incidents have also been reported at Greenwood Park SAPS. I’m hopeful that Riverside Road is one of the roads prioritised in the programme to repair 20 000 streetlights,” he said.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
