Residents of Plakerskamp, a township in Karasburg, have raised concerns over a lack of basic services in their area, as well as increasing instances of crime.
The area has no proper streetlights, leaving residents feeling unsafe and vulnerable, particularly at night.
Community members have repeatedly appealed to the local council for the installation of streetlights but say their pleas have gone unanswered.
A lack of proper lighting has created an environment conducive to criminal activities, further deepening the community’s fears.
“The streetlights we have are faulty; they switch on and off and flicker, so at night anything can happen to you. You won’t be able to say or see anything if something happens to you; there was a body hidden in a tyre a few years back, and nobody knew until there was a foul smell from it,” said Sylvia Veldskoen, a resident there.
While other areas in Karasburg benefit from streetlights, Plakerskamp residents say their community remains in the dark and have called on their local authority to address the imbalance.
Efforts to obtain comment from the council have been unsuccessful, and Plakerskamp residents say they feel disregarded.
For now, the community awaits meaningful action to ensure their neighbourhood is more secure and has lights.