FTLM erects high mast lights in floodplain
Masehleng
Residents in Masehleng village in the FetaKgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) blames the municipality for installing 3 high mast lights on a flood plain.
The lights were installed four years back in separate sections.
Two of the lights were placed at Ga-Phaahla and the other one in Mokiritlaneng.
Both high mast lights were meant to provide light to the nearby area.
Apart from putting the street lights on a floodplain, community members labelled the location as a low laying area saying the location is not central.
The man who brought the matter to the paper, Thobane Kgwadi blames former management at FTLM.
Masehleng leader said the FTLM placed those lights with lack of adequate knowledge for professional town planning.
Kgwadi said high mast lights in Mokiritlaneng have never supplied the nearby area with light before.
He however said even if it happens that the high mast light works it would have been obstructed by mountains to reach intended beneficiaries.
“Moreover, over time and with persistent rains, the high mast light was going to be swept by torrents thus causing current to get in contact with the ground and eventually causing electro currents which could kill the people,” briefed Kgwadi.
He said Ga-Phaahla lights were switched on and thus enabling the communities staying in the area and the parts of Difoeyeng to enjoy visible streets at night.
He described it as discrimination amongst the communities.
“Discriminating against sections of the community at Masehleng causes frictions and mistrust amongst this united community,” he said
Kgwadi said working lights were meant to benefit the communities of Ga-Mahlanya.
He however maintains that the lights in Mokiritlaneng and Botseakobo sections have never been switched on until today.
As concerned resident, Kgwadi engaged local African National Congress (ANC), ward 38 councillor; Maloke Makua who indicated the problem was with the transformer which has not been replaced over 5 years.
He said his councillor implored the administrator to reinstall the lights again on a good spot but he was never entertained.
“Sefateng section was discriminated and received no lights. No attempt was made even to install solar light in the area as the municipality did in other areas”.
“I informed the former administrator at FTLM about the situation, but the municipality could not give the matter attention”. said Kgwadi
He said currently it seems the municipality is intending to sweep the mater under the carpet.
