Non-functioning streetlights in Ward 102 are frustrating residents and councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete, prompting a formal petition to demand action from the city.

Campbell-Cloete said there was no need to wait for a specific number of signatures before handing over the submission, adding that she will formally submit and escalate the petition, request a written response, and demand a clear timeline for repairs and accountability for the ongoing outages. The councillor has escalated the ongoing streetlight failures to City Power, while also pressing the city manager for a response. “I have also sent an email requesting action to the city manager, to which I have received no response as yet. Poor lighting creates dark areas and can contribute to an increased perception of vulnerability and provide opportunities for criminals,” she said.

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She confirmed growing concern about criminal activity on unlit streets, saying that residents have reported safety concerns, including claims of recent hijackings, shootings and attacks. “I am also engaging with SAPS and local security structures to establish the broader crime trend. We need to increase visibility and monitor the affected areas while we continue pressing the city to repair the lights,” Campbell-Cloete said.

She urged residents to sign the petition to put pressure on the entity. “Crime thrives in darkness. We cannot simply accept this as the new normal.”

City Power confirmed it is aware of the streetlight issues logged in some streets within the ward, adding that public lighting teams carried out initial investigations to establish the cause of the outage. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the entity will restore streetlights in the affected Ward 102 section to a normal operating state through a cable replacement arranged with an appointed service provider. “The area is also included in the ongoing ward-by-ward programme, so that restoration is not confined to a single visit. City Power will continue to combine repairs with prevention. This includes proactive weekly inspections, priority work in high-risk traffic locations, the removal of illegal connections, partnerships with communities and private security, and technology that is more resistant to theft and easier to monitor,” Mangena said.

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He asked residents and the ward councillor to retain reference numbers and report both new outages and theft in progress to enable co-ordinated responses. “Theft and vandalism of public lighting infrastructure remain a serious and recurring challenge across Johannesburg. These incidents interrupt service and cannot be disregarded. Repeated vandalism also has a direct effect on restoration time. A section may be investigated, repaired and returned to service, only for the same poles or supply cable to be stripped or damaged again shortly thereafter,” he added.

He added that each recurrence is treated as a new incident and City Power remains committed to restoring public lighting in Ward 102 and reducing repeat failures.

Questions were sent to SAPS Gauteng District regarding a perceived increase in violent crime linked to the dark streets. Their reply will be published once received.

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