By Ndumiso Tshuma
Bulawayo residents have called on the local authority to repair and install tower lights in the city’s suburbs, as concerns grow over rising crime and poorly lit streets.
The issue dominated discussions during a full council meeting held on 2 July, where councillors voiced frustration over stalled maintenance and installation works, citing a surge in muggings and house break-ins after dark.
Councillor Aleck Ndlovu of Ward 25 raised concern over the situation in Emganwini suburb, particularly the Masotsheni area, where he said only one tower light, positioned at the far western end, served the entire neighbourhood.
“Residents were even prepared to fund the installation of a new tower light through their own contributions,” Cllr Ndlovu told the chambers. “One tower light cannot service such a wide area. The community is in darkness.”
Cllr Royini Sekete of Ward 29, echoed the concern and stressed the link between poor lighting and night-time crime.
“We urgently need tower lights to illuminate the streets. This is about public safety. Without proper lighting, crime thrives,” said Cllr Sekete.
The problem is not limited to Emganwini. In the affluent suburb of Lochview, residents say the complete absence of street lighting has made them vulnerable.
“We’ve lived here for 18 years, and there has never been a single streetlight,” said local resident Mxolisi Sibanda. “There have been several break-ins and muggings. Criminals take advantage of the darkness.”
Pamela Ndlovu, also from Lochview, called for immediate intervention.
“We’re not asking for much. Just working streetlights so we can walk home safely after work or school,” she said. “Our children come home late, and thieves are taking advantage.”
Similar complaints were echoed by residents in Pumula. Nqobizitha Moyo, from the Bulawayo Residents Association in Ward 17, said poorly lit streets were fuelling crime in the area.
“People are locking themselves in by 6 p.m.,” he said. “Elderly residents no longer attend evening services or meetings. Young people are afraid to come home late. Darkness has taken over our streets.”
He said the lack of lighting had created an environment where criminals operate freely, knowing they can hide under the cover of darkness without being identified. He called on the city council to act with urgency, warning that failure to do so could lead to more serious crimes and rising fear among the community.
“People are literally locking themselves in their homes by 6 p.m. because they are scared. Even short walks feel dangerous in the dark. Some elderly residents have stopped attending evening church services or community meetings because they fear being mugged. Young people are afraid to come home late from school or work. We cannot allow darkness to rule our streets. This issue needs urgent attention and must be treated as a top priority by the council,” said Moyo.
Council records also show that only 5% of maintenance work on tower lights had been completed in Newton West, while 40% of tower light servicing had been completed in Barham Green.
In areas such as Sidojiwe, West Somerton, Bellevue, and Montrose, work had not yet started and was still awaiting funding allocation. In Sizinda, 40% of maintenance work was completed on tower lights, while in Makokoba, new floodlights had been installed on tower lights 228 and 145.
Additionally, the report highlighted that old and faulty lamps were being replaced and structures repaired on tower lights 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 369, and 370.
In May 2025, several repairs and upgrades were done across 15 tower lights in different suburbs, including resetting switchboards, clearing tree branches, fixing underground cables, and installing new LED floodlights, specifically, 8x 300W lamps on tower lights 160 and 164.
At CITE, we dig deep to preserve the stories that shaped us—ZPRA Liberation Archives, the DRC War, and more. These are not just stories—they’re our roots. We don’t hide them behind paywalls. We rely on you to keep them alive. Click here to donate: https://cite.org.zw/support-local-news/
Dont understand why a solar power farm is not erected to light up the whole city that would be the most common sense thing to do
@CityofBulawayo needs to realise that the city faces very stiff competition from other African cities to attract investment Kigali Rwanda is the most clean City in Africa at the moment and because it is doing alot to protect the Enviornment This should be a wake up call for @cityofbulawayo
Everything is falling apart including the cemetries which should be maintained properly at all times??