--- title: "Nelson Mandela Bay’s streetlight scandal — 10,000 lights out amid corruption probe" description: "It is estimated that more than 10,000 of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro’s 40,000 streetlights are not working. Neither is the municipal maintenance fleet. With 16 of the 27 cherry pickers out of order, according to the DA, maintenance will be almost impossible." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "SWITCHED OFF" author: "Estelle Ellis and Deon Ferreira" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/estelle-ellis-and-deon-ferreira/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-18-nelson-mandela-bay-streetlight-scandal-10000-lights-out-amid-graft-probe/" published: "2025-09-18T20:30:01" updated: "2025-09-18T20:30:04" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 368 --- # Nelson Mandela Bay’s streetlight scandal — 10,000 lights out amid corruption probe > It is estimated that more than 10,000 of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro’s 40,000 streetlights are not working. Neither is the municipal maintenance fleet. With 16 of the 27 cherry pickers out of order, according to the DA, maintenance will be almost impossible. By Estelle Ellis and Deon Ferreira · Published 18 September 2025, 22:30 SAST · Updated 18 September 2025, 22:30 SAST ## Key points - Nelson Mandela Bay’s streetlights have dimmed to a mere flicker – 25% out of commission and only four repair trucks operational – while the City promises to shine a light on the corruption lurking in the shadows. - Nelson Mandela Bay's streetlight repair contract was annulled 15 months ago amid corruption allegations, now under SIU investigation. - Approximately 25% of the metro's streetlights remain unlit, with no replacements since the contract's cancellation. - Municipality spokesperson confirms new contracts are being finalised, with repairs expected to commence in early October. - DA's Retief Odendaal highlights a dysfunctional repair fleet, revealing only four of 27 streetlight trucks are operational. ## Content The Nelson Mandela Bay metro’s original contract for streetlight repair was set aside 15 months ago because of allegations of corruption and collusion. These allegations are under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit. **Read more:**[Special Investigating Unit to probe streetlight tender in Nelson Mandela Bay](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-25-special-investigating-unit-to-probe-streetlight-tender-in-nelson-mandela-bay/) Since then it is estimated that about 25% of the metro’s streetlights have gone out and have not been replaced. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said the metro was in the process of finalising the contract for streetlight repairs, which will require contractors to use their own equipment. He said they are expecting the contractors to start work in the first week of October. **Read more**: [Just two streetlights fixed in 90 days in Nelson Mandela Bay’s Kariega](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-11-just-two-streetlights-fixed-in-90-days-in-nelson-mandela-bays-kariega/) In her response during a September meeting with the city’s spiritual leaders, mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the contracts were awarded (in August) and they were negotiating service level agreements. ![A Cherry Picker at the Korsten municipal depot is rusting and without tyres. (photo Deon Ferreira)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wRvIqhOuz34puWvcvryWcqRV6IQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0835-copy.jpg) *A cherry picker at the Korsten municipal depot is rusting and without tyres. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)* ![A dilapidated municipal vehicle at the Korsten depot in Nelson Mandela Bay. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/SHpna6Bsi4zDxzGJlFgg93QMcSY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0834-copy.jpg) *A dilapidated municipal vehicle at the Korsten depot in Nelson Mandela Bay. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)* “We want to assure residents and stakeholders that decisive steps have already been taken to address the backlog. The metro has undertaken a legally compliant procurement process as per supply chain management regulations and policies to appoint the relevant service providers to manage streetlights,” Soyaya said. He said they trust that this will address the issue across the metro. While inspecting the metro’s collapsed maintenance fleet, the DA’s mayoral candidate for the local government elections, Retief Odendaal, said the metro had a fleet of 27 streetlight repair trucks (cherry pickers), with a staggering 16 in for repairs and seven damaged beyond repair. This means only four are operational. **DM** ![Debris from damaged vehicle lays strewn across the municipal depot in Gqeberha. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GU6JK7hvL19zVDKXtE2RGWPadok=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0889-copy.jpg) *Debris from a damaged vehicle is strewn across the municipal depot in Gqeberha. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)* ![Numerous municipal vehicles at the Korsten depot in Gqeberha are either in disrepair or have expired (licenses. (photo Deon Ferreira)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/YzM9vBuCraoYliXTY9rkmEmNY5s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0887-copy.jpg) *Numerous municipal vehicles at the Korsten depot in Gqeberha are either in disrepair or have expired licences. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)* ![One of the many damaged municipal vehicles at the depot in Korsten has a smashed windscreen among other defects. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/urZaqcJ9mIFJ6o4O-HNstqT_kdU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0860-copy.jpg) *One of the many damaged municipal vehicles at the depot in Korsten has a smashed windscreen, among other damages. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)* ![Another defunct municipal vehicle has both a smashed bonnet and door. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/0bSTYRRgZ3Nwuq50YApXDtlJnMY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0855-copy.jpg) *Another defunct municipal vehicle has both a smashed bonnet and door. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)*