Metro makes progress in tackling Centurion’s streetlight backlog
Repair teams continue to restore faulty streetlights across Centurion, with Tshwane Metro prioritising upgrades along major roads and high risk areas.
Eliminating the backlog of faulty streetlights remains one of the Tshwane Metro’s most pressing service delivery challenges.
Despite ongoing financial constraints, vandalism, and ageing infrastructure, the metro says it has made steady progress in restoring streetlight functionality across Centurion.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, 8 771 streetlight faults were reported in the area. By June 30, repair teams had reduced the backlog to 5 496 outstanding service requests, continuing their efforts to address both existing and newly reported faults.
According to Tshwane Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, a significant portion of the backlog involves vandalised streetlights, which require project-based interventions rather than routine maintenance.
He explained that repairing these streetlights is often time-consuming and resource-intensive, impacting the city’s ability to address standard maintenance requests more efficiently.
“All reported streetlight faults remain open until physically repaired in accordance with the city’s norms and standards. This approach guarantees that every reported issue is properly addressed and remains on record until resolved.”
Image: X/@henriettefroh
While the backlog gradually decreases, each ward regularly sends new streetlight fault reports to repair teams, increasing their workload.
Mashigo stated that teams are actively attending to both existing and newly reported faults.
Repairs have already been carried out in Wards 57 and 78. Parts of Wards 64 and 79 have also seen repairs as component of the city’s suburb-based maintenance programme.
The metro has prioritised repairs along major arterial routes that span multiple wards to enhance lighting along key transport corridors.
Mashigo noted that although the city has recorded an overall improvement in streetlight functionality over the past year, these gains are often undermined by recurring electrical faults in areas where repairs have already been completed.
He explained that such faults are unavoidable in some cases due to infrastructure failures and continued vandalism. Whenever these issues arise, repair teams are promptly dispatched to restore functionality.
The municipality says it prioritises streetlight repairs based on factors such as public safety, traffic volumes, and the severity of reported faults.
High-risk areas, including major roads, intersections, public spaces, and locations where faulty lighting poses safety concerns, receive priority attention.
The city continues to respond to faults reported by residents. It also implements planned maintenance programmes across all regions.
“In addition to routine maintenance, several streetlight refurbishment projects are underway in Centurion. Refurbishment work is currently underway on Botha Avenue in Lyttelton, Christiaan de Wet Road in Rooihuiskraal, Ruimte Road, John Vorster Drive, the R101, Pierre van Ryneveld, Panorama Road, and Lenchen Avenue. These projects are expected to be completed by October 30,” stated Mashigo.
The city allocates funding for such initiatives annually through the Integrated Development Plan and budget approval process.
However, Mashigo highlighted that challenges such as vandalism, cable theft, ageing infrastructure, and the growing number of reported faults continue to place pressure on available resources and impact the speed of repairs.
Image: X/@henriettefroh
The city is working to improve streetlight functionality by strengthening its maintenance capacity.
This includes employing additional electricians to accelerate repairs. Mashigo acknowledged that the current backlog stems from challenges faced during the 2023/2024 financial year, one of the most difficult periods in the municipality’s history.
He told Rekord that severe financial constraints at the time disrupted service delivery plans, and the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic left many residents unable to settle their municipal accounts, further straining the city’s finances.
“The Centurion Electricity Depot accumulated a backlog of over 12 000 reported streetlight faults, which could not be addressed immediately. Meanwhile, new faults continued to be reported daily.”
“The situation was further exacerbated by a three-month municipal strike during the same financial year. During this period, many streetlights along major routes and several control boxes were vandalised, creating additional challenges,” added Mashigo.
He explained that sustainable streetlight infrastructure depends on continuous, day-to-day maintenance and repairs. The strike, however, created a significant service delivery gap, severely impacting the city’s ability to maintain and repair its streetlight network.
Despite these inherited challenges, Mashigo reaffirmed the city’s commitment to restoring service delivery and prioritising reliable streetlight maintenance.
The metro is also collaborating with the TMPD to protect approximately 33 200 streetlights in the Centurion area from vandalism and theft.
Residents are urged to report faulty streetlights and help protect public infrastructure.
Mashigo emphasised that protecting streetlights is a shared responsibility. Functional lighting significantly contributes to road safety, crime prevention, and the overall well-being of communities.
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