Dark streets fuel crime fears in north

Residents of Ward 50 in Sinoville and Annlin are raising alarm over persistent streetlight failures, claiming that poorly lit streets are creating ideal conditions for criminal activity and leaving communities feeling increasingly unsafe after dark.

The concerns come as the Tshwane metro maintains that only four active streetlight-related service requests remain outstanding in the ward and that most previously reported faults have already been resolved.

Residents, a private security company and Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach argue that the reality on the ground paints a different picture.

According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the municipality is aware of streetlight outages affecting the area and is actively addressing reported faults.

“There are currently no delays. All open service requests were logged during June,” said Mashigo.

He added that challenges affecting turnaround times include theft, vandalism and resource shortages.

“The standard turnaround time ranges from 48 hours to one month, depending on the nature and complexity of the fault reported.”

Mashigo further stated that the service requests had been completed and that some of the reference numbers provided did not relate to Ward 50 streetlight maintenance or fell outside Region 2’s area of responsibility.

He also said none of the affected areas has been identified as crime hotspots due to poor lighting. He confirmed that regular inspections and scouting exercises are conducted every three months to identify infrastructure requiring maintenance or replacement.

Despite these assurances, community members say dark streets remain a major concern.

Mark Surgeon of ProShield Security Services’ Drone Unit said poor lighting directly impacts crime prevention efforts and security officers’ ability to patrol effectively.

“Dark streets attract criminals. This is a fact. If they can move unseen, they will target the affected areas.

“These areas become hotspots for crime and, as a result, security officers need to increase visibility and patrols in these areas,” said Surgeon.

He added that security personnel regularly notice a rise in criminal activity during periods when streetlights are not functioning.

“During power outages or where streetlights aren’t working, crime at night increases.”

According to Surgeon, darkness gives criminals an advantage while making it harder for officers to detect suspicious behaviour.

“Dark streets make it easier for criminals to hide. If officers struggle to spot suspects in the dark, it means more crime will go unprevented.”

He said proper street lighting is one of the most effective tools in crime prevention.

“When streets are well lit, officers can patrol more safely and spot criminal activity more easily. Residents need to continuously pressure the municipality to keep streetlights maintained. Well-lit streets mean safe streets,” he said.

Breytenbach described crime, failing streetlights, and deteriorating roads as the three biggest challenges facing the ward.

“One: crime is taking place and it’s increasing.

“Two, it is the streetlights that are not being attended to, and that promotes crime because nobody can see properly at night when crime is taking place.

“Then, also the potholes have not been attended to for a very, very long time,” she said.

Breytenbach expressed concern that residents continue reporting faults only to see service requests closed without visible repairs being carried out.

“On all the cases reported on service delivery issues, streetlights and potholes specifically, we keep on reporting and the teams are still closing the reference numbers.

“That means it will never be attended to. It’s creating the impression that work has been done and it’s not been done,” she said.

She said residents in areas such as the plots near Erras and Melt Marais streets continue to face safety concerns, with security companies having to increase patrols.

“We cannot keep on living in fear,” she said.

Breytenbach also called on law enforcement agencies and the metro to play a more active role in addressing crime and enforcing municipal by-laws.

“Currently, it is the security companies and the CPF members with the community that are keeping our ward safe. I really want to urge the SAPS and the metro to start getting involved.”

A resident, Jude Cooper, said he avoids walking in certain streets after sunset.

“When the streetlights are off, you don’t know who is hiding around the corner. Many of us feel unsafe and prefer not to leave our homes at night.”

Another resident, Percy Meyer, said: “We report the same problems repeatedly, but sometimes it feels like nothing changes.

“The darkness makes people nervous, especially when there have already been incidents of theft and suspicious activity in the area.”

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