TZANEEN – Residents of Modjadjiskloof say ongoing service delivery challenges under the Greater Letaba Municipality (GLM) are leaving the town in a state of steady decline, with poor road conditions, failing streetlights and overgrown vegetation affecting daily life.

In many parts of the town, bushes and grass along roads, pavements and open spaces have been left to grow unchecked.

Residents say routine maintenance such as grass cutting and clearing has become irregular, leaving streets untidy and, in some cases, unsafe.

Overgrown bushes have reduced visibility for both motorists and pedestrians and raised concerns about crime, as neglected areas provide cover for criminal activity.

The condition of internal streets has also worsened. Potholes have become increasingly common on residential roads, forcing motorists to drive cautiously or avoid certain routes altogether.

Residents complain that the damage to vehicles has become a financial burden, while temporary repairs carried out by the municipality highlight frustration over the lack of a municipal permanent plan.

Street lighting remains another major concern. Numerous streetlights across Modjadjiskloof are not working, leaving large sections of the town in darkness at night.

Residents say faults are frequently reported, but repairs are often delayed or not carried out at all. The lack of lighting has heightened fears about safety, particularly for pedestrians and residents returning home after dark.

Community members say these issues point to a broader failure in basic service delivery by the GLM.

Many residents feel that their complaints are not taken seriously and that communication from the municipality is limited, with little indication of when problems will be addressed.

There is growing concern that continued neglect could have lasting effects on the town, including declining property values and reduced confidence among potential investors and visitors.

For residents, however, the immediate impact is felt in their everyday lives, as basic services they rely on continue to deteriorate.

Residents are urging the GLM to prioritise maintenance, repair internal roads, and restore street lighting before conditions worsen further.

They say decisive action is needed to restore safety, dignity, and confidence in the town’s future.

Herald contacted GLM spokesperson Lovers Maenetja to see if the municipality has addressed the issues. She said that those are ongoing programmes that they do as and when there is a need.

“With the recent rains and disaster, there is, of course, a great backlog, but we are attending to them,” added Maenetja.