Broken and non-functioning streetlights are creating dangerous conditions for residents, motorists and community patrollers, according to security forums in the east of Pretoria.

Security forums further warned that dark streets are making it easier for criminals to operate undetected, especially in winter when it gets dark earlier.

The Silverton Community Policing Forum (CPF) said the crime trend has highlighted the urgent need for stronger police visibility, improved lighting and proactive crime prevention measures.

Chairperson Sidney Gordon said the forum is facing major challenges with streetlights that remain out of order in many of the areas under its jurisdiction.

“It has been proven that the absence of functional streetlights is conducive to various crimes at night, like housebreaking and theft of electric cables,” said Gordon.

He stressed that it is in the Tshwane metro’s interest to urgently repair all faulty streetlights.

“Well-lit streets eliminate dark corners and shadows where potential threats could hide, making it significantly easier for CPF members to observe and report suspicious activity to the police,” he said.

According to Gordon, criminals are less likely to target areas where they are clearly visible and face a greater risk of being identified, detected or arrested.

“Crime in well-lit areas acts as a visual deterrent. Criminals are less likely to operate in places where they are easily visible and at a higher risk of being identified or apprehended,” he added.

He further pointed out that proper lighting also improves the effectiveness of CCTV cameras by producing clearer footage that can assist police investigations.

The Silverton CPF covers a large area that includes Weavind Park, Silverton, Val de Grace, Silverton Ext 1 and 5, Meyerspark, Murrayfield, La Montagne, Equestria, Nellmapius, as well as the industrial areas of Waltloo and Silvertondale.

LS4 Sub-forum spokesperson Shawn Fouché echoed security concerns, stating that streetlights are vital for the safety of patrol teams and emergency responders during night operations.

“Adequate lighting assists CPF patrollers and emergency services in navigating streets, locating specific addresses and identifying hazards like uneven pavements or obstacles during night shifts,” said Fouché.

She said lighting also plays an important psychological role in communities by encouraging residents to spend more time outdoors, creating a natural surveillance.

“Quality lighting on the streets reduces the fear of walking outside at night, which encourages more residents to be active outdoors. This creates an ‘eyes on the street’ effect, as more neighbours are present to notice and report unusual behaviour,” she explained.

Residents have also raised concerns over the state of lighting along Delmas Road, which they describe as one of the most dangerous dark routes in the east of Pretoria.

Community members claim large sections of the road have been without functioning streetlights for more than four years, leaving the area pitch black at night.

Fouché said the poor visibility on Delmas Road has contributed to an increase in crashes. It also creates ideal conditions for criminals to move between nearby residential areas and the dumpsite along the route.

She added that the streetlight problems extend beyond Delmas Road and continue affecting several suburbs across the east of Pretoria.

The metro had begun repairs to damaged and vandalised streetlights on Delmas Road in 2025, but residents claim the work stopped abruptly without explanation.

The municipality confirmed that the Delmas Road streetlight repair project had stalled after funding ran out.

At the time, the city said it aimed to complete the reinstatement of all vandalised streetlights along Delmas Road within the current financial year.

MMC for Utility Services Frans Boshielo previously acknowledged the backlog and said the city is implementing a recovery plan to accelerate streetlight repairs ahead of winter.

He made these remarks after the State of the Capital Address (SOCA).

“During the recent Mayoral Committee meeting, we agreed on a plan to roll out the streetlight repairs programme and secure resources to clear the backlog before winter,” said Boshielo.

He said repair teams are currently fixing around 2 000 streetlights every week across Pretoria’s seven regions.

“We have started with repairing streetlights on our main roads to make the roads well-lit and safe,” he said.

Boshielo blamed years of infrastructure neglect on the previous DA-led coalition government, saying the metro inherited deteriorating electricity infrastructure.

“When we took office, we found the city’s electricity infrastructure in shambles. Our mini substations, secondary substations and main substations were not maintained,” he said.

He added that vandalism and cable theft continue to undermine repair efforts.

“We have a serious issue with people vandalising municipal infrastructure, especially streetlights. We repair them and, within days, cables are stolen again, which sets us back,” said Boshielo.

He urged residents to assist by reporting anyone caught vandalising or tampering with municipal infrastructure.

Boshielo said upgrading and maintaining electricity infrastructure remains one of his key priorities as the metro attempts to address long-standing maintenance backlogs and improve public safety.

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