Many incidents shook Centurion to its core this year, from service delivery issues and by-law concerns to safety alerts and human-interest stories.

Each event that emerged contributed to a fuller picture of life in the area, highlighting both the challenges and the strengths of the community.

Residents consistently showed their willingness to speak up, organise, and push for improvements. Their engagement helped shape many of the major stories that defined the year.

Here are the seven issues that affected Centurion most deeply this year:

1. Illegal use of fire hydrants sparks safety fears

Centurion residents and officials were alarmed as the illegal use of municipal fire hydrants surged across the city, particularly in Lyttelton.

Authorities confirmed that car washes, many operating near taxi ranks and informal settlements, were tapping directly into hydrants, causing damage and rendering them unusable for emergencies.

Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni warned that tampered hydrants slow down firefighting efforts and result in water losses.

“It is difficult to track the users, as they should be caught while in use. Such fire hydrants are immediately locked to prevent unnecessary future usage.

“Unused hydrants are locked with special devices accessible only to fire brigade personnel,” he said.

Councillors Wesley Jacobs and the late David Farquharson raised further concerns about strained law-enforcement capacity, slow procurement of hydrant locks, and a growing sense of lawlessness.

Despite joint raids with TMPD and the confiscation of equipment, illegal operations persisted, frustrating residents who say the abuse of public infrastructure is both unsafe and unfair to ratepayers.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2025/08/06/tshwane-cracks-down-on-car-washes-using-fire-hydrants-illegally-2/

2. Jay’s African Cuisine at the centre of a two-year noise battle with residents

For more than two years, residents around Jean Avenue have pleaded for relief from loud late-night music and disturbances emanating from Jay’s African Cuisine.

Complaints poured in about sleepless nights, dropping property values, and by-law violations that, they say, have gone unchecked.

The metro confirmed that the noise levels were above legal limits and issued a prohibition notice, but enforcement allegedly stalled due to a lack of co-operation from the owner.

FF Plus councillor Wesley Jacobs, backed by affected households, launched a petition calling for the business’s closure, while DA councillor David Farquharson said the city had ‘done little’ to enforce noise laws in Region 4.

Owner Jay Tjale dismissed the allegations, insisting the business was compliant and the petition a targeted attack.

Still, frustrated residents said they simply wanted one thing: for the rules to be followed.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/09/05/community-clashes-with-centurion-business-over-by-law-infringements/

3. Streetlight repairs continue, but vandalism and slow turnaround times persist.

Centurion’s ongoing streetlight crisis dominated community discussions, with certain areas repeatedly plunged into darkness due to cable theft, despite the metro’s repairs.

MMC Kholofelo Morodi assured residents the city had deployed additional artisans and scheduled extensive maintenance.

However, ongoing cable theft, vandalism, and limited internal capacity continued to derail progress.

Utility MMC Frans Boshielo revealed infrastructure theft now cost the metro up to R10-million annually, contributing to at least 2 000 unplanned outages each month.

Ward councillors Cindy Billson, Alta de Kock, and Wesley Jacobs expressed concern over the slow repair turnaround times, the metro’s restricted budget, and lack of service providers.

Although isolated improvements were seen, such as along Botha Avenue and parts of Panorama Road, residents said some areas remained without functioning streetlights, leaving communities vulnerable and frustrated.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/11/13/vandalism-theft-dims-streetlight-repairs-in-centurion/

4. Illegal dumping near the Mahlangu informal settlement worsens as fires choke The Reeds

Illegal dumping on private land near the Mahlangu informal settlement spiralled into one of the area’s worst environmental headaches this year.

The city confirmed it was still trying to trace the landowner, who would be ordered to stop the dumping and clean the property. If he or she failed to comply the municipality would intervene and recover the costs.

In the meantime, fires at the dumpsite burnt repeatedly, covering The Reeds and nearby neighbourhoods in thick, toxic smoke.

Residents reported nosebleeds, respiratory problems, and children missing school due to the pollution.

Ward councillor Alta de Kock said residents were fed up, while the metro admitted that repeated attempts to introduce refuse-bag collection systems in the settlement failed due to misuse, leaving many fearing the problem may worsen without urgent intervention.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/10/14/owner-of-land-behind-recurring-illegal-dumping-still-being-sought/

5. Spike in violent crime leaves residents on high alert

From September, Centurion saw a sharp rise in violent and contact crimes, including murder, hijacking, rape, and armed robbery.

Community policing forums mobilised day and night patrols to stabilise crime hotspots, often stepping in long before SAPS arrived at scenes.

Wierdabrug CPF chair Daniël van Rooyen confirmed that patrollers were making a substantial impact, though rising crime trends remained a serious concern.

Lyttelton CPF’s Merle van Staden shared these sentiments, noting that trio crimes fluctuated weekly and that residents relied heavily on CPFs for rapid communication and early detection.

Private security companies also reported multiple high-risk incidents, including a shootout in Lyttelton in which officers returned fire after being attacked by fleeing suspects linked to a business robbery.

Residents were urged to strengthen home security, know emergency numbers, and join local CPF groups to stay informed about what was happening in their neighbourhoods.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/09/17/centurion-residents-uneasy-as-violent-crime-rises-sharply-this-month/

6. Five-month-old Centurion baby still missing after mother’s arrest

One of the most distressing stories of the year unfolded when five-month-old Thandeka Nyamane disappeared from her home in Fountain informal settlement in Lyttelton Manor on September 6.

Police later arrested her mother and a friend on charges of child neglect after confirming that they had left their babies unattended while they went out to drink.

When the mother returned home, she discovered that her baby was missing.

The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit was still investigating the case, and Thandeka had not yet been found.

Police urged the public to come forward with any information that might assist in locating her.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/09/11/mother-of-missing-centurion-baby-arrested-for-child-neglect-2/

7. Expanding sinkhole forms in a resident’s yard in Lyttelton Manor

The year ended with a significant infrastructure concern when part of a resident’s yard on Selborne Avenue in Lyttelton Manor collapsed and began forming a growing sinkhole.

The metro confirmed it was conducting a full investigation into the cause of the collapse, including whether an overflowing sewer pipe may have contributed to the instability.

Residents in the nearby areas remained cautious and were awaiting guidance on the next steps toward stabilising the affected property, as the city continued its assessments.

Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2025/10/30/selborne-avenue-yard-collapse-leads-to-new-sinkhole-in-region-4/

While many challenges persist, Centurion’s spirit remains unshaken, and residents are hopeful that the new year will bring progress, stability, and long-awaited change.

Do you have more information about the story?

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