Alexandra can expect working street lights, repaired potholes and new solar-powered high mast lights as the City of Johannesburg starts its cleanup campaign in the area.
MMC for environment and infrastructure services Jack Sekwaila relaunched the #KleenaJoburg campaign on Wednesday along with the city’s entities, Pikitup, Johannesburg Water and City Power.
The streets of Alexandra are plagued by potholes with children playing in overflowing sewer systems, not to mention illegal dumping outside people’s yards.
The campaign is to deal with illegal dumping, fix street lights, unblock sewers and fix water leaks and potholes, Sekwaila said.
But some residents dump their waste around street lights. They set the waste on fire, which then damages the wiring inside the street lights.
“They get surprised at night when the lights don't work and they log a call with City Power. The steel structure of the pole also gets compromised, but we will fix this and provide education,” he said.
Residents asked to join in as city launches Alex cleanup campaign
Johannesburg has launched a campaign to clean up Alexandra township and repair street lights, water leaks and burst sewer pipes
Image: Rorisang Kgosana
Alexandra can expect working street lights, repaired potholes and new solar-powered high mast lights as the City of Johannesburg starts its cleanup campaign in the area.
MMC for environment and infrastructure services Jack Sekwaila relaunched the #KleenaJoburg campaign on Wednesday along with the city’s entities, Pikitup, Johannesburg Water and City Power.
The streets of Alexandra are plagued by potholes with children playing in overflowing sewer systems, not to mention illegal dumping outside people’s yards.
The campaign is to deal with illegal dumping, fix street lights, unblock sewers and fix water leaks and potholes, Sekwaila said.
But some residents dump their waste around street lights. They set the waste on fire, which then damages the wiring inside the street lights.
“They get surprised at night when the lights don't work and they log a call with City Power. The steel structure of the pole also gets compromised, but we will fix this and provide education,” he said.
Image: Rorisang Kgosana
In some homes, electric cables are attached to gutters and roofs from one home to the next in illegal connections. This includes illegal connection of water meters, which is also rife in the township.
But there will be no arrests for now as the MMC believes in educating the community first.
“We also seek to raise awareness and educate our residents on a number of issues, including keeping their environment clean and not littering. We want to teach residents about what they may think are small issues like saving water, reporting leaking water pipes, illegal connections, waste management and littering, among others.”
In the meantime, the city will install solar-powered high mast lights from next month.
“The first light will be switched on early May, which is energy month.”
“After the launch, the region will continue with the programme to ensure that service is delivered to the residents. Consultation meetings will also be part of the campaign through councillors’ public meetings.”
TimesLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Related articles
Latest Videos