RESIDENTS of Witsands in Atlantis, Western Cape, said when the sun sets, a blanket of darkness covers their kasi.
And criminals go on a rampage, robbing and killing people.
Community leader Nolufefe Mbombo said they have been calling for the City of Cape Town to help them with street lights but nothing has been done.
“We have been asking the municipality to put up street lights since 2007 but nothing has been done. It’s one excuse after another.
“People get robbed because criminals know very well that they can easily disappear in the dark and no one catches them,” said Mbombo.
He said they have been begging for street lights for over 13 years.
Resident Bulelani Mahlafuna (43) said they are scared to even send their kids to nearby spaza shops. because of the dark.
“Our kasi is too dark. We don’t have street lights like other townships and this puts our lives in danger. Why is it difficult for government to fix this issue?”
The City of Cape Town’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for energy, Beverley van Reenen, said they are engaging Eskom on the matter.
“The city is actively engaging Eskom about providing sufficient lighting to the informal area in Witsand.
“The city’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department has submitted an application to Eskom to provide street lighting to the informal settlement. The city continues to look at all feasible options,” said Van Reenen.
The city said the issue of crime should be addressed by the police and not them.
On the other hand, Eskom said the matter of street lights is not their responsibility.
“The maintenance and operation of street lights is the responsibility of the local and provincial government. Members of the public must direct all street light queries to their relevant municipality,” said Eskom.
