“On the one hand, Eskom is increasing its tariff on electricity and on the other, the council just doesn't care and carries on wasting the resource, leaving streetlights burning day and night. At the end of the day, it is we, the consumers, who will have to foot the bill.”
This is what local resident, Nikhil Mooloo of 13th Avenue said, after noticing for a long time now, many streetlights burning in the Laudium area, during the day.
“It's been months now that I've noticed streetlights burning during the day – while others don't come on at all at night – and I have read similar reports in your paper on numerous occasions, but the council still fails to act on our complaints.
“Now, we demand answers, since we are the ones who subsidize these lights burning in reverse, from the morning to the night,” said the irate Nikhil.
“I cannot see the logic in all this…what is the purpose of lights burning during the day, and being off during the night, especially around the Bengal and Taj Street areas. It makes no sense to me at all. You can’t tell me they don’t know how to deal with this problem. They just don’t care,” he fumed.
According to Nikhil, it is not only the Laudium area that is being affected by these peculiar inconveniences.
“I took a drive around Thaba Tshwane, Valhalla, Eldoraigne and the greater Centurion area the other day, and I found some streetlights in those suburbs were also left on during the day, which really irritated me. Generally, I am not one to complain, but when it comes to incidents of this nature, I must, until someone rectifies the matter,” Nikhil added strongly.
He further pointed out, that every evening, adverts are broadcast on TV, pleading with consumers to switch off unnecessary electrical items.
“These ads are beamed across all SABC channels, telling us to switch off our geysers and lights because these items use too much electricity. Yet does anyone ever question how much of our electricity supply is being wasted due to something as silly as streetlights being left on during the day – now that's a joke,” he concluded.
Another complaint
Another disgruntled resident, Shaheen Mohamed, said he is also sick and tired of complaining to the city council about the streetlights being off during the night, near his Taj Street home - and also on Jewel and Mink Streets.
“I keep calling these council guys but all I ever get from them are reference numbers; nothing is ever done. At night, many of our streets are masked in complete darkness. With the high crime rate around these parts, every possible precautionary measure should be taken to keep the community safe… as with our streets unlit, criminal elements lurk in the darkness just waiting for the next opportunity,” Shaheen said.
The visibly upset resident added to the Laudium Sun that, with winter now in full swing, when he comes home from work, it is already dark and it is a scary feeling driving home on a dark street: “I'm too scared to even get out of my vehicle when I arrive home, for fear that some creep could pounce on me,” he said.
“When my electricity bill is just a few rand in arrears, the municipality is quick to jump…sometimes we even pay our bill, yet they still erroneously cut our lights but, when it comes to dealing with our complaints, then we have to wait forever to get some kind of response from them. How can the council justify this unacceptable state of affairs?” concluded the angered Taj Street resident.
In response to the complaints, Councillor Mahomed Essop said, “I have also received complaints of the streetlights remaining on during the day, and also of those not working at night, which I have forwarded to the relevant departments.”
Shaheen Mohamed said, he is sick and tired of complaining to the city council.
Frustrated resident, Nikhil Mooloo, said the council just doesn’t care.