Zimpapers Logo

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Beitbridge Town Council in partnership with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) have started installing solar-powered streetlights in most crime hotspots in the town.

Town engineer Douglas Martin Siphuma said they had entered into an agreement with a private contractor that had seen them installing 17 solar-powered street lights.

“We started installing the lights last week. This is a pilot project and we are looking at expanding it to other areas across the town.

“The company will also repair other broken down streetlights especially in areas around the border post, near the former Beitbridge Express Hotel, CBD and some crime hotspots in the low density suburb,” he said.

He said the new streetlight lasts for over five years with 50 000 hours of lighting.

Eng Siphuma said they were also planning to extend the project to traffic and tower lights, which are dotted across the town.

He said they had budgeted $40 000 that would see them installing solar-powered tower lights at business centres in Garikayi suburb and Shule Shule business centre on the western part of Dulibadzimu suburb.

“This is a cost-cutting measure on our part as the local authority since we will rely more on renewable energy.

“You will note that we have a lot of sunlight in this town even during winter, hence the need to be innovative,” he said.

He said that they were introducing the use of solar-powered streetlights to other parts of the town.