Streetlights vandalised in Mbayani

Barely a month after their installation in various parts of Blantyre City, some streetlights have already been vandalised by the very public they were meant for.

Mbayani Township in Blantyre has seen two of its streetlights vandalised and one knocked down by a vehicle.

Blantyre City Council (BCC) public relations manager Anthony Kasunda said there is need for vehicle owners who hit streetlight poles to take responsibility by reporting such matters to the police or the city council so that due processes of claim from insurance are made.

He said:“In an ideal situation where the owners of the vehicles have reported, then they are supposed to be held responsible for the replacement of these streetlights. Sadly, it is hit and run.”

BCC has condemned the vandalism of streetlights, saying: “We can fix the vandalised ones, but that means it will delay other developments to come because instead of using that money for new developments, we will be spending on the same things that means we are not making progress.”

Lilian Morris, a Mbayani resident, said the two places where the streetlights have been vandalised are usually patronised by thugs at night.

Morris, a victim of an attack at Mbayani Market, says the vandalism could be a ploy by thugs who want night cover to attack passersby. n