Lack of lighting on Higginson Highway prompts legal action from Chatsworth community

DUE to the “lack of action” to restore stolen and damaged lighting along Higginson Highway, the Chatsworth and District Civic Federation will bring court action to compel the eThekwini Municipality to provide adequate lighting.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the federation, said there was a drastic increase in accidents along the highway.

“Higginson Highway has become a road to hell. The highway has been in darkness from the Mobeni Heights Cemetery to Mariannhill for the last 10 years, and despite our calls for the restoration of the lights, nothing has been done.

“It is an absolute nightmare to drive along the highway with accidents every day, robberies and hijackings. Over the last 10 months, there were hundreds of lives lost and hundreds of people injured,” Naidoo added.

He said last Saturday alone, there were three accidents and all three were fatalities.

“One of the drivers collided into a tree and his vehicle exploded. He died inside his vehicle and he is still unidentified. Driving on Higginson Highway is a death trap. We struggle to keep track of the accidents. Higginson was one of the best lit highways, but it is no longer a safe road. In fact, people are risking their lives driving on this road.

“Police are having to work in darkness and endanger their lives. Paramedics are robbed and shot at when responding. Criminals hide in the bushes along the highway because there are no lights.

“At certain areas, rocks are placed on the highway and because motorists cannot see it, they hit it. When they stop or crash their vehicles, they are robbed,” he said.