APPROXIMATELY 1 000 street lights are out of order in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro because the municipality has a shortage of light bulbs.
This comes after the municipality allegedly failed to tender for the supply of light bulbs, leaving residents in the metro in the dark and prey for criminals.
According to the DA spokesperson for safety and security in the metro, Gustav Rautenbach, the NMBM should have taken the necessary steps to ensure that a contract is in place.
“All contracts come to an end; however, it’s the municipality’s responsibility to make sure that residents receive the services they pay for.
“Darkness is a criminal’s best friend – residents live in fear because the municipality is failing to deliver proper services,” Rautenbach said.
Rautenbach claimed that R200 000 was spent on the supply of light bulbs without a contract in place. However, he commented that the municipality had reached the limit and still no tender has been made available.
Amid alleged reports that general maintenance of the city’s infrastructure is collapsing, according to Rautenbach, the municipality needs to make sure that all residents are safe and that aging infrastructure is fixed.
RAUTENBACH added, “It came to my attention that one bulb cost around R70 and our current coalition government does not care about the safety of our residents.”
A resident in ward 8, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his frustration and said that they are shrouded in darkness and see no light at the end of the tunnel.
“I am concerned for my family’s safety at night and without proper lighting in the street, we are sitting ducks for criminals.
“As the saying goes, ‘When the lights go out, the monsters come out to play.’
“I’ve reported the case to my local ward councillor and he has followed up with the municipality. However, I had to install additional lighting around my house, which cost an arm and a leg. The municipality needs to address this issue,” he said.
According to Rautenbach, increased cases of criminal activity have become a challenge due to the lack of street lights, and have turned some areas into no-go zones during certain periods, especially at night.
“The safety of all residents in the metro should be of high priority to the municipality. However, with the lack of street lighting, we are not safe. Accidents by motorists can occur and perpetrators are lurking in the bushes, waiting for a chance to break the law,” Rautenbach said.
Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, confirmed that the metro had run out of light bulbs.
“Delays with the supply chain management process have led to the bulbs unavailability.
“Budget is not an issue and once supply processes are complete, procurement will be made.
“The processes are at an advanced stage.”
Mniki added, “There is a budget, which will include costs associated to supply the metro with the necessary light bulbs.
“We are following a procurement process which can only be used for emergencies. A tender will be made available soon,” Mniki said.
