The Tshwane Metro has blamed cable theft and burnt-out bulbs for the prolonged outage on Gemsbok Street, after residents of Theresa Park complained about non-functional streetlights.

According to the metro, technical teams investigated the faults and found that additional materials were needed before repairs could be completed.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the assessment revealed that electrical components had been stolen and that the existing bulbs had reached the end of their lifespan.

“The assessment identified that the general purpose wires had been stolen or removed, while the 70W bulbs had also burnt out. These issues require the affected components to be replaced before the streetlight can be fully restored,” said Mashigo.

He explained that officials conducted several tests during their first visit to find the source of the problem.

“The initial assessment established that additional materials were required to complete the repairs. Once the necessary materials had been secured, the team returned to the site to continue with the outstanding repair work and work towards restoring the streetlight,” he said.

Mashigo added that municipal teams returned to the site on August 6, and that the current target date for restoring the streetlight is August 31, provided no unforeseen technical challenges arise.

While the complaint specifically relates to a particular pole, the metro indicated that technicians would assess the entire streetlight circuit along Gemsbok Street to find any other faults affecting other lights in the area.

Resident Phumeza Julla said the lack of lighting has been a concern for residents, particularly at night.

“We were relieved when the team came out because we thought the problem would be fixed immediately.

“When the light still didn’t work afterwards, many residents became worried that the issue had not been properly resolved,” she said.

“A dark street makes people feel uneasy. Streetlights help motorists, pedestrians and residents feel safer, so we’re looking forward to seeing the repairs completed.”

Mashigo urged residents not to tamper with streetlight infrastructure and to report any vandalism or exposed electrical components.

“Streetlight poles are designed and constructed in accordance with applicable engineering and safety standards to minimise the risk of electrical shock. These safety measures remain effective provided that the infrastructure has not been vandalised, damaged or tampered with,” he said.

The metro said reported streetlight faults are attended to according to prescribed service standards once a fault has been formally logged and a reference number issued.

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