Electricity theft going on for years
THE overgrown grass in Chatsworth had become a safe haven for criminals and land invaders, said Omi Nair, a community activist from Crossmoor.
“Since the pandemic, we have noticed that staff from the parks department are working on a rotational shift, and as a result the bushes are overgrown. Those who want to build informal structures on vacant land with dense bushes, scope the area and start building without being detected.”
She said some of the street lights, especially on the Higginson Highway, had not been working for a few years.
“I have complained to police and various ward councillors. It is scary to drive on the highway between Croftdene and Moorton. Some motorists have to use their bright lights to get through that section. In this area, rocks are placed or thrown on the road. This results in accidents and sometimes the drivers are hijacked when they stop. Something as simple as lighting would help tremendously.”
She said residents also complained about Durban Solid Waste (DSW) services. “In some areas, refuse is picked up but in others, it’s not. Refuse lies on the street for weeks and it builds until the staff from DSW remove it.”
She said illegal street connections were also problematic.
“For as long as we have informal settlements, we will continue to have electricity theft. In Unit 9, power stations were broken into and cables are connected and run to the settlements to electrify them. Not only are formal residents affected by this, but it also poses a risk to children and adults who could step on a live wire. We have asked for years for something to be done, but our calls have fallen on deaf ears.”