Criminals deny Sunnyside residents service delivery – Councillor
“The criminals vandalise the infrastructure to keep Sunnyside streets dark so they can rob people of their belongings at night,” says Sunnyside councillor.
A Sunnyside councillor is working hard on a permanent solution to non-functioning streetlights in the area.
Ward 81 councillor Mpho Lewele told delegates to a Sunnyside CPF and stakeholders meeting at 224 Hotel in Arcadia, Pretoria on Wednesday that the streetlight problem was a result of criminal activity.
“Criminals steal connector sockets from the streetlight poles,” he said.
He said it was concerning that after repairs, the criminals returned.
“When the City repaired the non-functioning streetlights, the criminals come back within two weeks to steal the connector sockets again.”
He said an assessment of the problem concluded that the infrastructure was old and needed consistent maintenance and that some homeless drug addicts stole the connector sockets to convert to cash for drugs.
“The criminals vandalise the infrastructure to keep Sunnyside streets dark to rob people of their belongings at night.”
“Because of the streetlight problem the community of Sunnyside was unable to enjoy service delivery.
“I find it difficult to accept that innocent residents of Sunnyside have to suffer at the hands of criminals.”
Lewele said the best possible solution to the problem is that the metro should accede to his request and install high mast lights, which could not be vandalised.
“The connector socket of the mast light is not easily accessible to criminals as it is high,” he said adding that the criminal would need some special equipment to access it.
He said he wanted the new type of streetlights, similar to those used on the bus rapid transit (BRT) routes, installed.
“The connector sockets on those lights cannot be stolen because they are mounted on top of the high pole and a ladder is needed for criminals to steal them.”
He said they believe that high mast lights would give sufficient light to their streets.
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