Vandals strip Jakes Gerwel street lights

DUE to vandalism, R1.6 million will have to be spent to restore and repair the street lights along Jakes Gerwel Drive, the City said.

Mayco member for energy and climate change Phindile Maxiti said while the City would much rather focus its attention on improving service delivery to communities across the metro, it had been left with no choice but to attend to the damage to its electrical infrastructure along the M7.

Maxiti said: “The latest string of theft of and vandalism of the City’s street lights along Jakes Gerwel Drive will cost more than R1.6m to repair. This is money that could rather be used to enhance services.

“However, criminals have taken to targeting our street lights, not only stealing the complete units, but also the wiring in the lamps. Their actions severely impact the service to residents in the surrounding areas, and motorists.

“These criminal attacks cannot be so well organised and take place without anyone noticing.

“Some of the street lights along the drive are more than 11 metres high, and it would require specialised equipment to commit these crimes. We need residents to report any suspicious activity as soon as it happens.

“The City cannot continue to spend considerable resources trying to keep the lights on along Jakes Gerwel Drive.”

According to the City 80 street lights were currently damaged and in need of repair, including more than 160 light fittings.

City law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyson said: “There are several hot spots along Jakes Gerwel Drive, which is a hot spot for illegal connections and vandalism and attacks against staff and contractors. Law enforcement officers patrol the areas so that both the infrastructure and motorists can be protected.

“Although the stoning of vehicles, theft, vandalism, and damage to infrastructure happen sporadically, our patrols in hot spot areas occur frequently.”

To encourage residents to actively protect the streets lights, the City is offering a R5 000 cash reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the street vandals and the confiscation of stolen parts of street lights.