Let there be light around Tuks Campus, demands AfriForum Youth

AfriForum Youth is urgently appealing to the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to repair the broken street lights around the Hatfield campus of the University of Pretoria (Tuks) and to erect more street lights in dark areas. A recent investigation by AfriForum Youth found that some streets around the campus have basically no working street lights, while other areas have no infrastructure for street lights at all.

The areas most affected include Prospect, South, Hilda, Duxbury, Richard and Herold Streets, as well as Lunnon Road, Lynnwood Road, University and Burnett Streets. In some areas, only one out of twenty street lights are functional while other streets are shrouded in total darkness.

This lack of lighting creates a dangerous environment for students and the wider Hatfield community. Hatfield is already identified as a high crime area and the dark streets increase the risk of theft, violent crimes and even possible kidnappings.

In a letter sent by AfriForum Youth to the Tshwane Metro on 5 September, the organisation demands the Municipality to repair all non-functional street lights within 30 days; to install new street lights where no structures for it exist; and to submit a clear plan of action and timeline for this repair and installation to AfriForum Youth.

AfriForum Youth has also launched a petition to mobilise students, parents and the community and gather support to apply pressure on the Metro for immediate action.

“Students should be able to safely get to their residences, apartments or vehicles after class at night without fear of what might happen in the dark. The safety of young people should be a priority, not a side issue,” says Yvonne Gerber, AfriForum Youth’s Development Officer.

If the Tshwane Metro does not respond to this request in a timely manner, AfriForum Youth will escalate the matter further through possible legal action and by involving the public and the media.