The EFF in Tshwane has given the DA-led coalition government a seven-day ultimatum to fix streetlights citing safety concerns.
EFF regional chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu declared on Tuesday that failure to concede to the demands would result in the party installing solar-powered streetlights.
“The EFF in Tshwane calls upon the DA-ActionSA coalition to improve the safety of the residents,” said Ramabodu.
“The pitch-dark streets, road intersections, and public parks have become crime hotspots where scandalous activities of crime get undertaken by perpetrators.
“Failure to heed our call will leave us with no option but to install solar streetlights around the municipality.”
He expressed frustration at the coalition government, stating that he finds it difficult to understand how a city with a budget of R46.9-billion is not capable of carrying out what he referred to as a basic responsibility.
He said the absence of streetlights poses risks to the safety of residents and motorists.
“We demand the installation of streetlights within seven days, failure of which the EFF in Tshwane will install solar streetlights as a measure to protect our communities.
“Suffering from the mismanagement of incapable Eskom, residents cannot be further subjected to the ineptitude of an administration sitting on a R2.6-billion capital budget failing to install streetlights.”
A myriad of disgruntled residents have approached the EFF citing rising criminal activities taking place in dark streets across the city, according to Ramabodu, who noted that these incidents are a contrast to what residents deserve.
He said most of the affected areas are tourist attractions and places where learners and students commute.
“Recent reports of criminal activities in areas such as Fountains Circle, Nelson Mandela and Pretorius, Wonderpark robots, Morula Complex, Bronkhortspruit, Dr George Mukhari Hospital, and Sunnyside, among others, show that the coalition government is very naïve towards protecting its citizens.
“Additionally, it must be noted that the above-mentioned areas are tourist attraction centres and where thousands of young vulnerable school children and students commute daily to their various destinations.
“The DA has been playing in the gallery for far too long now, making false rhetoric and boasting themselves as the caring government whose interests are for all South African citizens.
“However, their actual work results in naught and manifests a party that is blowing its own horn and claiming easier victories.”
Not only is the EFF demanding the installation of streetlights, but the party also wants the city to employ a CCTV system to monitor movement across the metro.
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