Darkness Falls on Tshwane: Widespread Streetlight Failure Raises Safety Concerns

Tshwane Streetlights Fail, Plunging Lynnwood Road into Darkness Residents of Tshwane, South Africa, experienced a frightening night on June 8, 2025, as widespread streetlight failure plunged major roads into darkness. Lynnwood Road was particularly affected, as shown in a citizen-recorded video. The video, taken from a moving vehicle, clearly depicts long stretches of road completely devoid of illumination. "Total darkness, no street lights working," states the video's narrator, driving along Lynnwood Road. "Just total darkness on this main arterial." While some traffic lights were functioning, the lack of streetlights created a hazardous situation for drivers and pedestrians. The video highlights the safety concerns caused by the outage. Driving in complete darkness increases the risk of accidents, and the lack of visibility poses a significant danger to pedestrians. The absence of street lighting also affects visibility for emergency vehicles, potentially delaying response times. The city's infrastructure department has yet to comment on the cause of the outage or provide a timeline for repairs. The video serves as a stark reminder of the importance of well-maintained public infrastructure and the potential consequences of its failure.