Relief has been brought to Pretoria east residents this week, as malfunctioning streetlights have been fixed through the Greater Lakes Community Upliftment Precinct initiative.
The metro will also boost its fleet this week as it has secured tenders for 80 cherry pickers to improve service delivery within its seven regions.
Ward 101 councillor Malcolm de Klerk said while Tshwane was working to improve service delivery, over 200 vandalised and malfunctioning streetlights were brought back to life around Meadows Estate off Ridge Road in Tygervalley through a community upliftment project (CUP).
De Klerk said after the metro adopted a new CUP policy last year, several streetlights with defects or vandalised have been fixed.
The repaired streetlights aim to not only improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians but also to play a crucial role in deterring criminal activities.
He said the project aimed to replace old lamps, and vandalised lights.
The move comes after numerous complaints from residents and motorists who were concerned about safety and security due to poor lighting conditions.
“Around the estate it was dark, and thus as part of the programme of action, the Greater Lakes Community Upliftment Precinct is to fix the streetlights in the area,” De Klerk said.
De Klerk said residents are encouraged to form other CUP initiatives in the Olympus, Zwavelpoort and Pretoriuspark Ext 40 areas.
Recently, the metro repaired over 4 000 streetlights in different parts of Pretoria.
Cable theft and vandalism remain a challenge for the city. Often, streetlights are stripped and vandalised a day after being repaired.
The metro said it is working towards increasing illumination levels, and it is not deterred as it has been working on innovative solutions such as using cables with less value to protect infrastructure.
MMC for Corporate and Shard Services Dana Wannenburg said Tshwane will boost service delivery with the acquisition of the 80 cherry pickers.
He said this is a significant step forward in improving service delivery with the recent receipt of award letters for the lease tender of the cherry pickers.
“An official order has been placed and the delivery of these essential vehicles is expected to take place between November and December.”
Wannenburg added that this investment will significantly enhance the metro’s capacity to address critical infrastructure needs, particularly in maintaining streetlights, electricity networks and tree trimming services.
“Cherry pickers play a crucial role in ensuring that elevated maintenance tasks are performed safely, efficiently and effectively.”
The key advantages of acquiring the cherry pickers include:
– Enhanced infrastructure maintenance:
The addition of 80 cherry pickers will dramatically improve the city’s ability to maintain and repair streetlights and electricity infrastructure, ensuring safer, well-lit streets for all residents.
– Reduced service delays:
By expanding the fleet, the metro can respond to service requests more quickly, reducing waiting times for infrastructure repairs, especially in critical areas such as electricity outages and public lighting.
– Improved safety for employees:
The cherry pickers provide a safer working environment for municipal staff who need to operate at height. This will lead to fewer accidents, enhanced productivity and the ability to undertake maintenance projects more effectively and efficiently.
– Increased operational capacity
With the 80 new vehicles, the metro will be able to deploy resources to multiple regions simultaneously, ensuring that no part of Tshwane is left behind in essential service provision.
– A cost-effective, long-term solution:
The leasing tender allows the metro to acquire these vehicles without the full upfront cost of ownership, making it a financially prudent choice while also upgrading its service delivery capabilities.
Wanneburg said this strategic investment is a testament to the city’s commitment to modernising its operations, enhancing public infrastructure and delivering excellent services to all residents.
“It marks a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to address community needs and create a more efficient, safe and sustainable urban environment,” he said.
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