Progress on streetlight petition for Ward 82 slow as residents demand action
A petition submitted to the Tshwane Council calling for streetlight repairs in Ward 82 remains unresolved, despite complaints from residents and questions about the speed and fairness of service delivery in the metro.
According to the metro, the matter is scheduled to be revisited at the Section 79 Committee meeting on August 21.
Councillor Siobhan Muller, who represents Ward 82 in the east of Tshwane, raised the issue during a Council sitting where she submitted the petition.
She alleged that during the session, one of the MMCs shouted that he would come and 'switch off the lights in Ward 82'.
The metro did not respond to the allegations made against the MMC.
'This is the kind of treatment residents in the east of the city are getting from the new ANC, EFF, and ActionSA-led administration,' said Muller.
She called out the mayor and asked, 'Where are you to protect all the people who pay rates and taxes and pay your salary?'
Some residents argue that progress has been slow and that Ward 82 may not be receiving the same level of attention as other areas.
Among them is Herman Le Roux, a resident of Lynnwood, who has been battling the streetlight issue for two years.
Le Roux added that they have sent files and maps, but they're not getting any support.
'The issue of streetlights poses safety and security risks. We need to get it fixed.'
In response, Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed that the petition had been formally accepted.
'The speaker of the council officially acknowledged the receipt of the petition during the Council meeting, during which the ward councillor submitted the petition on behalf of the residents of Ward 82.
Bokaba said the petition was referred to the relevant department for investigation.
'The petition, along with the departmental feedback, will be brought back to the committee for further deliberation and resolution,' he added.
He said the matter is scheduled to be revisited at the Section 79 Committee meeting on August 21.
Bokaba stated that the metro's Petition By-law provides a 90-day window to resolve it.
'Councillors may raise issues in Council or write formally to the Section 79 chairperson for petitions or the speaker to follow up on outstanding petitions.'
ALSO READ: Court battle looms as metro moves to revive scrapped levy
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