The Poort’s dysfunctional streetlights leave residents vulnerable

The dysfunctional streetlights in the Poort, an area stretching from Wonderboom Junction to Onderstepoort Road, have left residents in the dark for many months.

As the lack of lighting plunges this vital thoroughfare into darkness night after night, illegal activities have become all too common, with Tshwane Metro’s inaction heightening frustration among local communities.

Several residents and Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer have raised the alarm, but the metro has yet to provide a permanent solution.

The dysfunctional streetlights, which have been reported on numerous occasions, remain one of the primary concerns.

Without proper lighting, opportunistic criminals take advantage of the cover of darkness, turning the once-bustling area into a dangerous zone after sunset and at dawn.

Some residents fear leaving their home too early in the morning, while others who use the route to work, including late-shift workers, live in constant dread of becoming the next victim.

“We’ve been living in fear for months. The Poort is not safe for some motorists. It’s as if the municipality has forgotten about us,” said Mncedisi Williams, who regularly uses the route.

Williams said some residents had to resort to using their vehicle headlights to illuminate the way for pedestrians.

“We don’t need assessments, we need repairs because if the municipality doesn’t step in soon, more people are going to get hurt, or worse.

“Despite countless complaints to the metro, no permanent repairs have been made,” said Williams.

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The residents of The Poort have had enough. They are now appealing to the metro to take swift and decisive action to address the situation.

At the heart of their demands is the immediate restoration of functional streetlights, which they believe will enormously reduce the issue and restore a sense of security to their community.

“We can’t wait any longer. The metro must prioritise this. We are being terrorised for not having lights, I mean it’s a basic service that should be rendered.

“I was once mugged at around 20:00 coming from work in this area and some people think it’s nice losing your belongings in a situation that can be prevented by just fixing the lights,” said Thando Makhanya.

According to Councillor Meyer, numerous requests for maintenance and repairs have been lodged with the metro’s electricity department, but thus far, the response has been underwhelming.

“We have had promises of action but the situation remains unchanged. These lights are critical for the safety of the community, and the metro has a responsibility to address this,” said Meyer.

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo indicated that the streetlight illumination levels in Ward 2 are comparatively good in relation to the other 27 wards in Region 1.

“Teams of technicians are engaged daily to attend to complaints registered on the Customer Relations Management System throughout the 28 wards in the region.

“Electricity maintenance teams are dispatched daily to attend to streetlight complaints as well as overall public lighting maintenance in the region, which includes Ward 2,” said Mashigo.

Mashigo said the limited maintenance resources continue to impact negatively on timeous response to public lighting complaints.

“However, the current collaborative efforts from some of the business community who try to assist the metro to improve service delivery has improved turnaround times in responding to public lighting repairs.

“Criminal conduct emanates from socio-economic issues, and social development interventions are required to deal with crime over and above the public maintenance provided by the region,” he said.

Mashigo said the community is always encouraged to participate in the Community Forums to assist the TMPD and SAPS with combatting crime in their respective areas.

He said the maintenance and repairs of streetlights depend on sufficient required resources, “hence the collaborative efforts with the business and organised communities to mitigate the challenge of resources in this regard”.

“Ward 2 forms part of the electricity monthly maintenance plans and complaints in the area that are attended to in line with the maintenance schedule like all other wards in the region.”

He said there is a dedicated team that focuses on the repairs of high mast lights in high-crime areas such as Soshanguve, Mabopane, and Winterveldt.

“The city is opting for a long-term solution for solar highmast lights to ensure consistency in minimising criminal activities throughout the 28 wards. The process is to ensure this is currently underway.

“The region is currently providing weekly integrated Urban Management service, which entails a bouquet of service delivery activities which brings about a positive impact in minimising security risks within our communities,” he concluded.

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