BCC urged to fix tower lights for security reasons
Mbekezeli Ncube
Bulawayo residents have expressed concern about the malfunctioning tower lights in the city’s high-density suburbs, saying the lack of adequate lighting has led to an upsurge in robberies and other criminal activities.
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) secretary for administration, Thembelani Dube, urged the city fathers to repair the tower lights by replacing the bulbs. He also appealed to residents to refrain from vandalizing the infrastructure.
“Tower lights have provided lightning in various cities and towns for over decades now. In actual fact, most tower lights require maintenance in the form of replacing old bulbs. Vandalizing that infrastructure is too significant so I urge the public to desist from doing such,” said Dube.
Winos Dube, from the Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA), emphasized the importance of functional tower lights as a source of security for communities. He suggested that the council liaise with the business community to find ways to address the financial constraints and ensure the proper functioning of the tower lights.
“As residents we value these tower lights and we want to see them functioning, the council must always do its utmost. I know when we raise these issues they would always cite financial challenges and lack of spare parts. I’m sure if the council can liaise with the business community, they can find a way of making the towerlights function properly,” said Dube.
Residents expressed their desire for improved lighting to enhance visibility at night and create a safer environment for both residents and security organizations like the police and neighborhood watch committees.
A resident from Gwabalanda, Nkosilathi Mbele said.
“They (tower lights) need to be fixed for the safety of the general public. It helps with visibility at night in areas with a lot of criminal activity,” said Mbele.
Another rate payer, who preferred to be called Mr. Mpala said fixing the lights will help security organizations like the police and neighbourhood watch work in a safer environment.
“It should be noted that security is a shared responsibility where the local authority must provide a conductive environment for law enforcement agencies that is the police and the neighbourhood watch committee to operate with less difficulties,” he said.
Council has expressed concern over the rising incidence of vandalism targeting tower and street lights, resulting in the need for increased police patrols to curb this destructive behavior. The issue has become a pressing concern, particularly as many streetlights in residential areas have become dysfunctional, leaving residents susceptible to muggings and other forms of crime. According to the latest council minutes, the Engineering Services Department reported a sharp increase in the vandalism of street lighting infrastructure.
“Theft of tower light control boxes and poles have reached alarming levels. Streetlights are hit by stones thereby damaging the light bulbs,” the report read.
In April last year, the City revealed that 70% of the city’s nearly 11 000 street lights were not functional.
