Residents have expressed concern over the increasing number of streetlights that remain unrepaired despite being reported to the City of Mbombela (CoM) customer care centre.

While some streetlights in Mbombela have been repaired, many have subsequently been vandalised, with individuals allegedly removing circuit breakers. In White River, however, residents say the problem is not vandalism, but a lack of maintenance.

They say they have repeatedly reported faulty streetlights to the municipality, but have received little or no response.

“Almost every street in town has faulty streetlights. Both the town centre and surrounding residential areas are left in darkness, making it unsafe for people to walk at night or in the early hours of the morning. The darkness is also creating opportunities for criminal activity,” said ward councillor Rowan Torr.

He added that he has personally reported most of the faulty streetlights to the municipality, without success.

“There was a project planned to repair the streetlights and convert them to solar-powered units, but unfortunately it never materialised,” Torr said.

Resident Camilia du Preez said the entire Essenhout Street has been without working streetlights for some time. She added that 14 streetlights along the R537 to Sabie and eight streetlights at the Casterbridge traffic circle are also not functioning.

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“I have sent numerous emails to customer care since the beginning of this year to report the problem, but nothing has been done. I also contacted the ward councillor, who confirmed that the matter had been reported to the relevant department, yet there has still been no action. It feels as though the municipality is only interested in collecting our money, but fails to provide basic services,” she said.

Another resident, Chris Steyn, said: “I have lost confidence in the CoM because the executive mayor is aware of the situation as she lives in the area. I believe she has driven through White River at night and has seen how dark it is, yet nothing has been done. The customer care email system has also failed residents because we report faults but see no action. All we want is for the municipality to repair the streetlights,” he said.

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CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala said the municipality continues repairing streetlights despite ongoing challenges with vandalism. He dismissed claims that the municipality ignores reports submitted through its customer care email, saying that all emails received are attended to and processed.

“As you already know, we have started converting streetlights to solar-powered units in an effort to curb vandalism. We have entered a new financial year and are busy with the required procurement processes. Once procurement has been finalised, we will begin switching the streetlights back on in phases,” said Ngala.