High mast lights turn into white elephants

MALOMANYE – The residents of Malomanye and related wards under Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality were elated back in 2011 when about 40 high mast lights were erected in their areas.

The then elated residents were of the thinking that finally crime taking place in the area would be something of the past as it would start being lit.

Contrary to the erection of the high mast lights, the residents in the area are still in the dark a decade after the lights were erected.

Sello Kupa, Bolsheviks Part of South Africa Convener in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, said the erection of the high mast lights, which brought so much fanfare, have turned out to be nothing but white elephants.

Kupa said about five if not less of the 40 lights have actually never been energized and the municipality has no plans to remedy the situation.

“Bearing in mind that the municipality is among those who invested an awful amount of R230 million in the VBS bank, that money could have come in handy in the maintenance of these lights and other projects that have stalled as a result of lack of funds,” said Kupa.

He added that the effects of the VBS heist have had far reaching consequences in municipalities and Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality was among those that were affected the most.

“The residents have lost trust in the local municipality and it looks like it will take forever and a day for that trust to be regained,” concluded Kupa.