- theft of cables, deliberate damage of bulbs on the rise
The North West District Council chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetseng has raised concern over the growing vandalism of streetlights in several villages, warning that the damage is putting communities at risk and increasing government repair costs.
Speaking during the opening of the final full council session of the year 2025 in Maun, Kelebetseng said the district continues to lose thousands of pula to repeated repairs, with some areas left in darkness for extended periods.
Kelebetseng vandalism remains one of the major challenges affecting service delivery, explaining that some incidents involve theft of cables while in other areas bulbs and poles are deliberately damaged. He said the trend has become alarming, noting that the district has recorded an unprecedented number of cable theft and vandalism-by-motorist cases. According to him, the continued destruction has resulted in the district having only 55 percent availability of streetlight luminance.
“We are very worried because people are destroying streetlights that are meant to keep our roads and neighborhoods safe,” he said. “Every time a pole or bulb is vandalised, we divert money that could have been used for other important services.” He added that darkness in public spaces creates opportunities for crime and makes night travel unsafe for pedestrians and motorists. “This is not just a council issue; it affects the whole community. Darkness encourages crime, and it puts everyone at risk,” he said.
As part of mitigation, the Council is currently installing over 90 streetlights to replace those that were vandalised. The project is expected to be completed before the end of March 2026. Kelebetseng said restoring lighting in affected areas is a critical step to improving visibility, safety, and service delivery across the district.
In addition to replacement works, the Council will also install 320 solar-powered streetlights in various locations in Maun through the Fuel Levy Fund. The areas set to benefit from this development include Matlapana, Xhabara Ward, Disana Ward, Moeti Ward, Boronyane Ward and Riverside Ward. The Council expressed hope that illuminating these neighborhoods will bring the much-needed development to Maun and support night-time economic activity.
As the projects roll out, the Council has appealed to residents to protect public infrastructure. Kelebetseng urged community members to take care of the streetlights by avoiding vandalism and reporting theft whenever observed. He said community cooperation is essential to keeping Maun illuminated and ensuring that development continues without unnecessary interruptions.
Kelebetseng emphasised that improved street lighting remains key to enhancing safety, visibility, and the overall vibrancy of Maun and the wider district.
