Councillor Jacobs unsatisfied with MMC’s response to streetlight questions relating to Ward 98
Jack Sekwaila, MMC for Environment, Infrastructure, and Services, provided few answers in his written response.
Ward 98 councillor Beverly Jacobs recently submitted written questions about City Power to Jack Sekwaila, MMC for Environment, Infrastructure and Services.
In her opening query she said, “The safety and security of a substantial part of Fairland (Ward 98) has for months been at risk, where non-operational streetlights have not been attended to. On June 4, 2022, I conducted a ward inspection and logged many outstanding issues. The matter was escalated to the Hursthill depot on June 4, September 6, September 21, 2022, and January 9, 2023.
“Despite logging and using the relevant escalation processes, the streetlights remain non-operational. I was informed on January 9 that the calls needed to be logged again.”
Sekwaila responded, “In the early parts of the financial year there were delays in resolving streetlight queries that required materials. This was caused by the unavailability of materials (brought upon by increased theft and vandalism) while the procurement process was ongoing. The contracts have since been issued and deliveries are coming in.”
When asked why these calls had been closed without being attended to, he responded, “Closing of logged queries without attending is not encouraged. Calls that were closed were attended to and resolved as no material was required e.g., breakers.”
Lastly, Jacobs asked when would residents of Ward 98 have a resolution to non-operational streetlights. Sekwaila responded, “There are 35 open calls for Fairland between July 2022 and March 2023. Efforts to normalise the ward are underway and completion is set for April 2, 2023.
The Northcliff Melville Times asked Jacobs for her evaluation of the responses received from Sekwaila.
“I fail to understand why it has taken so long to have this issue resolved. Streetlights are a public safety issue and are a standard operating expense under routine maintenance. I understand vandalism has created problems, but this is not acceptable. I would liked to have seen if there was any consequence management and what corrective actions have been taken to the closing of calls even though they were not resolved. I don’t know why residents were not kept informed of any issues, like materials arising, that led to delays in resolving the problems.”
She asks residents to please log streetlights that are not working if not on the list. Roads covered are 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th and 9th avenues. Kessel, Agnes, Cornelis, Graf, Johannes, Wilson, Smith and Market streets and Hetty Avenue.
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