Critical roads in Gqeberha and key routes connecting the city to Kariega via the R75 and Old Cape Road are shrouded in darkness without any streetlights, posing a serious risk to thousands of daily commuters.
These affected roads include, but are not limited to, the airport approach along Allister Miller Road, the bustling N2 corridor from John Tallant Road to Summerstrand, and the notorious R75, where no traffic lights are working and numerous collisions with cattle roaming on the road have been reported.
From the R334 Uitenhage Farms to Daniel Pienaar Street, and from Old Uitenhage Road to Durban Street in Kariega, non-functional streetlights have transformed essential infrastructure into hazardous obstacle courses where drivers navigate by full beam, gambling against unseen potholes and potential accidents.
As residents and businesses grapple with heightened security concerns and motorists face increased collision risks, questions mount about the municipality’s response to what appears to be a widespread infrastructure crisis affecting some of the metro’s most vital roadways.
A Kariega resident, Asemahle Gqubule, shared her views on the matter: “It’s ridiculously dark in the metro, posing a safety hazard for road users. When I have to leave early for work, I have to drive with my full beam on as soon as I approach the Swartkops route to Gqeberha from Kariega. Some people are selfish drivers who don’t think to switch their full beam off when an oncoming car approaches, which can cause accidents from having to swerve around potholes that you didn’t see because of the other vehicle blinding you with their lights.”
Another Gqeberha resident, Lisa Gwangqa, said: “Going to Kariega from the Old Cape Road near the Rocklands side is a nightmare. The lack of lighting promotes criminal activity.”
She also added that the lack of lights could cause serious car accidents.
“Since it is dark and that road has many potholes in it, it is hard to spot a pothole until it is too late, meaning you can either damage a tyre by driving into it, or swerve at the last minute, possibly hitting an oncoming car or animals, because it is close to farms.”
Jenna Thomas, a Gqeberha resident working in Despatch, said: “The R75 between Despatch and Gqeberha is not safe at night. When we have night events at work, I always have to drive back home in the dark.”
She added: “In some instances, my dad or brother drives to Despatch where I work, just so that we can convoy together back to Gqeberha to ensure that I get home safely, which is wasteful. Streetlights are a necessity we need to make us feel safe.”
The municipality was approached multiple times to provide a comment, but failed to respond at the time of going to print on Monday, July 7.
