Tshwane rolls out streetlight repair drive across the capital

The City of Tshwane is addressing the issue of faulty streetlights by launching a repair programme across the capital city over the next two months, with a target completion date of October. Mayor Nasiphi Moya announced that the energy and electricity business unit has already begun the initiative, which will cover areas such as Wonderboom, Montana, Ramotse, Doornpoort, Annlin, Sinoville, Rooiwal, Arcadia, Atteridgeville, Lynnwood, and Groenkloof.

Mayor Moya mentioned that a total of 127 tampers, safety features, have been installed, valued at R11 million.

The newly appointed Minister of Community Mobility and Public Works, Sam Molatelo Mashola, joined the efforts by visiting Nellmapius to attend to electricity faults and repair streetlights. Ward 1 councillor Leon Kruyshaar expressed concern over the fact that 80% of the streetlights in his ward in Pretoria West are not functioning.

He highlighted issues with day/night switches, causing lights to remain on during the day and off at night, or remaining on continuously. Kruyshaar noted that although the situation is wasteful, residents are grateful for the lights being on, even if they run 24/7. He added that when reported, the city team arrives to fix the issue, but the problem often persists.

Ward 85 councillor Jacqui Uys echoed similar sentiments, stating that Tshwane struggles with consistently working streetlights. Uys, who has received numerous reports of out-of-order or faulty streetlights in her ward in Pretoria East, emphasized the need for the city to ensure proper functioning of the lights at night. The Democratic Alliance's mayoral candidate in Tshwane, Cilliers Brink, criticized the city's response, stating that residents in Moreleta Park have resorted to lighting up their own streets due to the unreliability of Tshwane's streetlights.

Republican Conference of Tshwane councillor Lex Middelberg pointed out that the average turnaround time to repair a streetlight is over three years after the fault has been reported to the municipality. She added that most broken streetlights are no longer reported to the city, and the current situation will not improve if voters continue to support those who have failed as local government officials.