Lights out — Streetlights not a priority for ANC/EFF Coalition
by Cllr Wollaston Labuschagne– DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni
Date: 2 April 2024
Release: Immediate
Type: Media Statement
According to the recent 2023–24 Financial Year adjustment budget maintenance and upgrading of streetlights is not a priority for the ANC/EFF coalition partners. A mere R200 000 has been allocated for Duduza lighting improvements to four wards around Nigel including wards 86,87,98 and 111, however, zero funds for ward 88 Nigel.
Besides the lack of funds allocated to the Springs/Nigel Energy depot for streetlight repairs, a further lack of vehicles such as cherry pickers is another reason why there is such a huge backlog. During a 2023 visit to the Springs Energy depot, councillors observed about 5 cherry pickers that were out of order caused by different mechanical issues. Since the said oversight visit, some of the vehicles were repaired however more mechanical breakdowns subsequently occurred. It is also believed that when the vehicles are sent to the City’s mechanical workshop it either takes months to be returned or it is returned with missing parts.
I wrote the Springs Nigel Chief Energy area Engineer towards the end of 2023 to enquire if residents would be allowed to install their LED fittings to streetlight poles however the department responded as follows on 20 November 2023 :
“The energy department did not decline assistance from the residents, we are waiting for legal comments.
The department is in the process of procuring the required material for public lighting through finance department stores.
The department is finalising the streetlight maintenance tender and assisting the department on a when-required basis. It will be completed in quarter 3.
The fleet department is also aware of all cherry pickers that must be fixed, as soon as they are repaired, we will commence with the work”
Well ….. quarter 3 of this Financial Year is gone and still no streetlight maintenance is being done proving that the current ANC / EFF coalition is just not capable of ensuring even the most basic municipal services.
I have furthermore submitted a streetlight petition during 2023 and will be following up on progress through the oversight.
The ANC and EFF government in Ekurhuleni have failed dismally, they focussed on keeping their tenderpreneur comrades happy instead of ensuring services to taxpayers.
The upcoming national and provincial elections will provide Gauteng residents with the opportunity to get rid of the ANC in the province. Once a coalition government led by the DA takes over the Gauteng Provincial Legislature we will endeavour to hold the City of Ekurhuleni administration accountable for not doing the required maintenance.
Cllr. Wollaston Labuschagne
DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni
082 413 4318
