MEDIA STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
Thursday, 30 January 2025

POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY ROLLS OUT STREETLIGHT MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Polokwane Municipality has commenced a citywide streetlight maintenance programme to restore and upgrade public lighting infrastructure. The initiative starts around Mall of the North and Zone 5 Seshego, expanding toward the CBD and other suburbs.

This intervention focuses on repairing and replacing stolen and vandalized infrastructure, improving visibility and safety. As part of the municipality’s sustainable energy efforts, 160 conventional streetlights will be retrofitted with solar-powered lighting. Most non-functional traffic lights were repaired this month, with ongoing efforts to prevent further vandalism.

Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe highlights the challenge of cable theft and vandalism, which disrupt service delivery: “This programme goes beyond fixing street and traffic lights; it’s a step toward sustainable urban lighting. Our goal is to transition to solar-powered alternatives for long-term efficiency. For too long, parts of our city have been in darkness, but today marks the beginning of real change. However, we strongly condemn theft and vandalism that undermine progress. Residents will soon see a brighter, safer Polokwane.”

The municipality urges residents to report non-functional traffic lights or suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

ISSUED BY POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY: Communications and Marketing Unit