Commuters fear the dark at Kapteinsklip Station

Safety concerns remain on Yellowwood Street in Tafelsig despite the City saying repairs to streetlights in the Kapteinsklip area are complete.

Koelsom Hannivel, a Tafelsig West Neighbourhood Watch member, said several lights along the road were not working at night.

She said only a few lights were burning between the station and the school, leaving people walking in the area in darkness.

“The lights were never burning, to tell you the truth. People were robbed, and they are scared to walk in the morning. Only two lights were burning, and the rest were off,” Hannivel said.

Hannivel said she had raised concerns about the lighting for a year and that the problem was worsened during dark winter mornings.

She said she had at times escorted people across the railway line because of safety concerns.

“Only once they saw my flashlight, they knew it was me and felt a bit safe when I escorted them. It’s not fair. It’s cruel,” she said.

According to Hannivel, lights at the station were working, but the section towards Yellowwood Street remained poorly lit.

“The lights burn at the train station but not this side. They are being robbed, and it’s so wrong,” she said.

The City, however, says its energy teams have already repaired and restored streetlights in and around the Kapteinsklip Train Station precinct.

The work included repairing and replacing damaged streetlight poles and restoring public lighting. Electricity cables, poles and fittings were damaged or stolen because of theft and vandalism, said mayoral committee member for energy, Xanthea Limberg.

Limberg said the repairs had been completed.

The project cost R877 807 and included work in the station parking area and surrounding public lighting network, she said.

Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg, councillors and City workers during a site visit to the Kapteinsklip area, where street lighting and damaged electricity infrastructure were repaired.

Image: Supplied

Ward 92 councillor Washiela Harris also confirmed that the lights at Kapteinsklip had been fixed, but said vandalism remained an ongoing problem.

“As soon as the lights are fixed, people steal the lights and cables,” Harris said.

Harris said the community also wanted the available lighting to improve visibility towards the informal settlement along Yellowwood Street.

She said the repeated theft of infrastructure made it difficult to maintain the lighting.

“If no one will take ownership, the City can’t replace it all the time,” Harris said.

Structures have been erected alongside Agape Special Education School in Tafelsig, with concerns raised about rubbish and people sleeping against the school wall.

Image: Supplied

Hannivel also raised concerns about people sleeping and putting up structures alongside Agape School.

She said rubbish had accumulated against the school wall and that structures were being erected in the area.

“It is dirty and smells. They bring their rubbish and dump it next to the school. It is a hazard for the school and teachers,” Hannivel said.

The City urged the public to report streetlight and electricity faults to 0860 103 089, SMS 31220 or WhatsApp 060 018 1505. Suspicious activity can be reported to 021 480 7700, while illegal scrap yards can be reported anonymously to 0800 222 771.