City of Cape Town admits poor lighting spurs crime

The City of Cape Town has admitted to the poor lighting in some parts of Khayelitsha is contributing to the high rise in criminal activities. The City has been focusing and putting so much money in public lights but in the 2019/20 financial year the city has provided R63.5 million and from that R1.8million was allocated to Khayelitsha alone. The 1.8million is meant to refurbish the township as many residence have complained about the high rise in criminal activities.

Most townships not only Khayelitsha have lack of street lights and with the rise in crimes the Western Cape government is willing to ridicule and remove such cases. Reports have come saying that the City of Cape Town is planning to install 40m high mast lights in the township of Khayelitsha but that will only happen in the next 3 to 4 years to come. The lack of street lights have caused many road fatalities because pedestrians usually cannot see the care if the cars head lights are not on.

 Social Justice Coalition co-head of programs Dali Weyers said “lighting in many areas of Khayelitsha fairly poor and does not comply with the national standard”.

By: Chuma Matiwane