- DA submitted questions demanding answers on NMB’s public lighting crisis.
- Certain areas have been without functional streetlights for two years.
- Residents suffer due to increased crime under cover of darkness.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has escalated the Nelson Mandela Bay coalition government’s inability to address the metro’s public lighting crisis, by bringing the matter to the attention of the acting city manager and demanding urgent action.
Certain areas of the municipality have been without functional streetlights for a staggering two years. The coalition’s failure to maintain and repair streetlights throughout the metro has significantly impacted the ability of criminals to act with impunity under the cover of darkness, without fear of reprisal.
We have, therefore, submitted a comprehensive set of questions to the acting city manager, demanding clear answers and urgent action on the municipality’s public lighting crisis.
These questions include feedback on:
- The progress made in finalising the new public lighting contract.
- The investigation into the cancellation of the previous contract.
- An internal investigation into the stock of faulty streetlights at municipal depots.
- Feedback on the repairs addressing the backlog of faulty streetlights.
While the coalition government and administration drag their feet, our residents are suffering due to increased muggings, house break-ins, and violence. Our people are not just statistics, they deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhoods. Yet, under this administration’s watch, they have been abandoned, left as easy targets for criminals.
This is more than just poor service delivery it is a direct consequence of weak governance and a lack of accountability.
The DA is committed to fighting for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay. We are pushing for immediate intervention, a transparent and efficient contract for public lighting, and the urgent rollout of streetlight repairs to restore safety in our communities.
We will keep holding this government accountable until every light is switched back on and every community feels secure once again.
The DA is in your corner, fighting for you. Together we can get Nelson Mandela Bay working again.