Tshwane allocates R2.5m to fix Pretoria streetlights
According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo currently, the streetlights were being retrofitted in regions 1 and 3.
Concerned residents across Pretoria have expressed frustration over the lack of functional streetlights in various areas.
Tshwane metro said it has allocated R2.5 million to fix non-functional streetlights in the current financial year.
Despite the metro’s efforts to address the issue, residents say many streets remain dark, posing a threat to public safety.
According to Jean Pierre Verster, a member of the ward committee in Brooklyn, the area has been plagued by non-functional streetlights for an extended period.
He said that those streetlights that do work have been working for a long time, but the majority of the lights were still not working.
Verster’s concerns were echoed by other residents, who noted that the lack of streetlights had led to an increase in safety concerns.
The Menlyn shopping centre area, in particular, has reportedly deteriorated, with some individuals resorting to stealing globes from streetlights.
“I drove through the entire ward, and nothing has been done since they said they are fixing the streetlights.”
“Replacing only the bulbs that were stolen is not a solution to the problem.”
He added that the metro should hand over the project to civil society, so they can do it themselves.
In response to these concerns, Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro has allocated a budget of R2.5 million in the current financial year to fix non-functional streetlights across Pretoria.
He said the project is expected to be completed by June 30, and they have already started with the project in Brooklyn.
“The project will be implemented throughout the city based on the allocated budget.”
According to Mashigo, currently, streetlights were being retrofitted in region 1 and region 3.
“The scope of the project is to retrofit HPS luminaires with LED luminaires with the primary benefit of saving energy,” said Mashigo.
He added that the project forms part of the Re A Spana 100-day programme, where 350 luminaires have been retrofitted in various regions of the metro.
He added that 250W and 70W high-pressure sodium streetlight luminaires are being retrofitted with 100W and 35W LED technology to achieve energy saving of at least 50W.
The metro has encouraged residents to report any suspicious activities or vandalism to the Tshwane Metro Police Department.
According to Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s X post, streetlight maintenance in Queenswood, Mountain View and Pretoria Central has started.
She said they are determined to meet their maintenance target of 25 000 streetlights by mid-February.
“We had promised to illuminate our streets, and we are working.”
Streetlight maintenance in Queenswood, Mountain View and Pretoria Central. We are determined to meet our target of 25000 streetlights maintenance by mid-February. We had promised to illuminate our streets and we are working! @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/XZrWKYC0YQ
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) January 29, 2025
*Please note this article has been amended
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