A Road in the Dark: Tshwane’s Delmas Road Streetlight Project Stalled by Funding Shortage

A vital project to relight one of Pretoria’s most dangerous roads has been left in the dark, halted mid-way because the city has run out of money. The City of Tshwane has confirmed that its streetlight repair and installation project along Delmas Road was stopped earlier this year due to a lack of funds, leaving residents in the lurch and safety at risk.

The metro has promised the work will resume, but only once new funding is approved, offering little comfort to those who navigate the perilously dark route daily.

A Project Abandoned, A Community Alarmed

Residents first raised the alarm when work that began earlier this year abruptly stopped around February. Their concerns were not just about darkness, but about the very real danger it creates. Ward 83 Councillor Andrew Lesch confirmed the halt, stating, “There are currently exposed wires and open holes along the roadside, increasing the danger for road users.”

He described Delmas Road as “hazardous” and highlighted that the lighting issue is a widespread problem affecting other eastern areas like Newlands, where some parts have been without streetlights for over a year.

City Blames Empty Coffers, Not Performance

In response to the growing outcry, Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed the project’s suspension. He explained that the initial work was funded from the regional maintenance team’s operational budget, but progress “stalled when funds ran out.”

Mashigo was quick to clarify that the delay was “due purely to funding constraints, not performance issues,” as the work is being handled by the city’s own internal team, not an external contractor.

The Energy and Electricity Business Unit is now “finalising internal processes to secure the necessary resources” to continue. The city’s stated goal is to complete the reinstatement of all vandalised streetlights within the current financial year, but no concrete timeline has been provided.

A Temporary Fix and a Long-Term Fear

The city did address one immediate hazard, confirming that technicians had fixed hanging electrical cables left after a truck accidentally snagged the lines. They also stated they are assessing temporary safety measures like improved signage.

However, for residents and commuters, these are small consolations. The core problem remains: a critical road is shrouded in darkness, and the solution is trapped in a bureaucratic funding limbo. With the city admitting it needs to source additional money, the community’s wait for a safe, well-lit Delmas Road appears far from over.

{Source: Citizen}

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