The Tshwane metro has acknowledged that budget constraints and infrastructure challenges are among the key reasons behind prolonged streetlight outages in parts of Pretoria North, with some complaints dating back to 2024.

The metro confirmed that it only becomes formally aware of streetlight outages once residents log service requests through customer care.

“The City of Tshwane is made aware of streetlight complaints if a client has logged a call for a reference number,” stated metro spokesperson Lindela Mahsigo.

He urged residents to report all faults to ensure they are directed to the relevant regional depot.

According to the metro, several of the reference numbers linked to Pretoria North streetlight outages date back to 2024, when there were limitations on budget allocations for streetlight maintenance.

“At the time, there were limitations on budget allocations for streetlight maintenance,” said Mashigo.

Mashigo indicated that maintenance teams conduct continuous repairs daily and are issued job cards for different areas.

While some of the affected areas were previously attended to, the metro confirmed that the team responsible for Pretoria North will revisit the locations to carry out the necessary repairs.

Despite these assurances, residents mentioned the situation on the ground tells a different story.

A Pretoria North resident, Marius Cole, said unlit streets have become a serious concern.

“Some of these lights have been off for months. We report them, get reference numbers, and then the calls are closed, but nothing changes.

“At night, it feels unsafe, especially near bus stops and corners where people walk early in the morning or late at night,” the resident said.

On the issue of timeframes, the metro did not provide specific dates for repairs, explaining that the Energy and Electricity Business Unit compiles weekly reports on streetlight repairs carried out during the previous week, including in Pretoria North.

Repairs, the metro said, are ongoing and prioritised based on logged service requests.

The municipality also pointed to cable theft and vandalism as major contributors to prolonged outages.

“Many streetlights in the region are vandalised and require extensive funding to rebuild the infrastructure.”

While acknowledging the importance of streetlighting, Mashigo stated that crime cannot be prevented by lighting alone.

“The metro will certainly play its part in illumination of the hotspot areas; however, members of the community need to play their part by being vigilant and reporting criminal activities,” he said.

The metro explained that reference numbers are closed administratively the day after a job card is attended to, and that closed requests reflect maintenance activity.

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said the issue remains a priority. “Streetlighting is directly linked to community safety. Residents deserve visible action. I continue to engage with the relevant departments to ensure Pretoria North is prioritised, especially in identified hotspot areas.”

The metro added that with the procurement of new cherry pickers and the allocation of technicians to specific areas daily, efforts are underway to improve response times, although budget limitations continue to pose a challenge.

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