Latest news with #CommunityUpliftmentProgramme
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Private sector stepping up to help metro safeguard electricity infrastructure
MMC for Utilities Frans Boshielo has made an urgent appeal to all residents to assist the municipality in protecting electricity infrastructure across the metro. Boshielo emphasised that a growing number of private companies are already stepping in to support this effort, including car manufacturer BMW in Rosslyn. BMW has partnered with the municipality to secure the electricity infrastructure in Rosslyn by installing cameras and motion detectors. 'The safeguarding of infrastructure is not just the municipality's job; it's everyone's responsibility. 'We are grateful for companies like BMW and others that are already supporting these efforts,' he said. One such success story can be found in Pretoria North, where the Van Riebeeck Substation has been fitted with a cutting-edge alarm system to combat cable theft, vandalism and repeated power outages. The substation has been targeted multiple times. These incidents often leave residents in the dark for days and cause major losses to local businesses and homeowners. Boshielo said the municipality has thus far received a lot of donations from people in private society and business, who are keen to safeguard the infrastructure in their vicinities to ensure there is no vandalism. 'We are encouraging businesspeople to come forward this way. This is their infrastructure. We need to work together. We have got what we call the Community Upliftment Programme (CUP), where other stakeholders are coming forward to assist.' Boshielo said the process of wanting to play a role in safeguarding the infrastructure is simple: write a letter to the municipality, and you will receive communication. 'The letter must also include the nature of assistance that businesses and residents want to provide to the metro. 'I can confirm that the metro did receive a donation for the Van Riebeeck substation. Prospective donors came forward and said they want to help us. Such donations and partnerships are assisting us a lot because we are losing a lot more due to cable theft,' said Boshielo. Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said cable theft has caused major damage and outages, but with the newly alarmed substation, criminals no longer have a place to steal. Karen Yssel, a business owner who was instrumental in pushing the project forward, said she was spurred into action after hearing about the break-ins at the substation. 'I decided to help Maximum Security get the necessary authorisation from the municipality to install the alarm system,' she said. 'It was a proactive step that could save the metro millions in infrastructure damage.' The system at the Van Riebeeck substation includes a wireless security system with door sensors, passive infrared sensors, and outdoor perimeter beams, monitored by a 24/7 control room. ALSO READ: Lawless school setup infuriates Theresapark residents Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Speeding sparks fears on Gloudina Road, call for urgent control measurements
Pretoria East residents are raising concerns about the lack of traffic calming measures on Gloudina Road in Murrayfield and Lynnwood Ridge. They allege that speeding motorists are creating dangerous conditions for the community at these intersections. Lido Grease said the problem has persisted for over two decades, and despite repeated calls for intervention, the metro has never acted. However, the metro said it currently does not have enough funds to install any traffic calming measures on Lynnwood Ridge and Gloudina Road. Grease, who lives on Gloudina Road, described how traffic has steadily increased in recent years, especially during peak hours. 'It must be between 20 and 30 years since I lived here. Gloudina Road has no humps, no traffic circles, nothing,' he said. He explained that drivers looking to avoid the slower traffic on Theuns Street, which has three speed humps and a traffic circle, are now using Gloudina Road as a faster alternative. 'The majority of the traffic, especially in peak hours, takes Gloudina Road, which passes my house.' He said the situation has become dangerous, with vehicles racing past his home. Grease added that it is not safe for dogs and people who are walking, especially at peak hours. 'There are taxis and people coming from work, and they just race across here. It's getting worse by the day.' Grease said he has repeatedly requested that the metro investigate the issue and introduce calming measures before a serious accident happens. The call for action is supported by Roelie Hendriks, one of the directors of Alpha Security. He confirmed that the security group has also submitted formal requests to the metro for traffic calming measures in the area. 'We are still waiting for the metro to confirm the CUP (Community Upliftment Programme) that will be funded by residents,' he said. Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed that the Alpha Security Forum submitted requests to address speeding and dangerous driving in the Lynnwood Ridge and Murrayfield South access management area. He said the metro has launched a formal process to investigate possible solutions, saying, 'Traffic counts have been conducted to consider traffic calming measures.' However, Bokaba added that due to current budget constraints, the metro is not in a position to install any new traffic-calming infrastructure. 'Currently, the city is not in a position to install any traffic calming measures due to the unavailability of funding,' he said. When asked how the metro decides where to place speed humps, Bokaba explained that a number of criteria are used to evaluate each request. He said some of these criteria include speed surveys, traffic counts, pedestrian activity, residential access, and road class. 'Each request is assigned a ranking score that determines its priority within a specific region.' Bokaba added that the metro is also considering a request for a three-way stop sign in the area, but he emphasised that any new signage must meet legal criteria before it can be approved. Residents have also raised concerns about municipal vehicles, including Tshwane buses, speeding along Gloudina Road. In response, Bokaba said the metro has not received any complaints specifically about speeding buses. However, concerns about heavy vehicles using the road in violation of the existing five-ton weight restriction are being taken seriously. 'The matter will be escalated to the TMPD for law enforcement,' he said. Another concern raised by residents is the ineffectiveness of existing speed bumps on nearby Rubida Street. While shallow speed bumps exist near the top circle, the rest of the road down the hill is unregulated, allowing drivers to accelerate dangerously. According to Bokaba, no plans currently exist to improve these speed bumps due to ongoing budget issues. He added that while the metro understands the need for safer streets, not all roads qualify for physical speed-calming measures like humps. 'Traffic calming, such as speed hump measures, is not likely to be considered on high-order roads,' he said. Bokaba said more passive measures, such as road markings and signage, may be considered for busier roads to promote safer driving behaviour. He urged residents to work closely with their local ward councillors and submit formal applications to the city's Roads and Transport Department if they want to see changes in their neighbourhoods. 'The application will then be evaluated and, if warranted, be placed on a traffic calming priority list, along with similar requests for the particular region in question.' Bokaba said the implementation thereof is subject to the availability of funding. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
