AfriForum uncovers alarmingly few working streetlights near Pretoria schools

AfriForum’s Greater Pretoria East branch recently launched a safety audit to assess the adequacy of street lighting around schools in areas including Garsfontein, Waterkloof, Elardus Park and Constantia Park. The preliminary findings show that only one of the six schools audited so far has working streetlights. Three of the schools have only a few working streetlights, while the remaining schools have none at all.

According to Fanus Johnson, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Greater Pretoria East branch, inadequate street lighting creates unnecessary safety risks for everyone who uses these schools. “Schools are not only active during school hours. Sporting events, cultural activities and other functions regularly take place in the evenings. When the streets surrounding schools are shrouded in darkness, learners, parents, staff and visitors are unnecessarily exposed to safety risks. This is a basic service that the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality should provide.”

AfriForum will expand the audit to approximately ten more schools over the coming weeks before presenting the complete findings to the relevant ward councillors and the Tshwane Metro. The aim is to expedite the repair of streetlights around schools and thereby improve the safety of school communities.

“We would like to work with the Metro to resolve this problem. However, if no action is taken within a reasonable period, AfriForum will investigate possible collaboration with school governing bodies and other partners to find practical solutions. Communities cannot allow poor service delivery to jeopardise the safety of their children,” says Johnson.

AfriForum is calling on residents to report faulty streetlights to the Tshwane Metro and, at the same time, to become involved with their local AfriForum branch or neighbourhood watch to help strengthen community safety.

“Safe schools begin with safe streets. It is in everyone’s interests for the areas surrounding schools to be safe and well lit,” concludes Johnson.