THE failure of the City of Joburg to maintain functioning traffic lights is a pressing issue.
On Thursday, 20 January 2025, Daily Sun reported ongoing neglect, vandalism, and outages, with authorities blaming copper thieves, reckless drivers, and load-shedding.
Following the report, concerns amplified, pushing the city to address the crisis. But what's the solution?
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero admitted vandalism is rampant.
"You fix a traffic light today, and three days later, it's been cut at the bottom and stripped for copper," he said.
The city is exploring private sector investment, especially from advertising companies, to manage traffic signals better.
Daily Sun questioned the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) on how it plans to protect traffic lights from vandals, cable theft, and reckless driving.
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JMPD spokesman Xolani Fihla outlined a multi-pronged approach:
JMPD Spokesperson Xolani Fihla outlined a multi-pronged approach:
- Increased Patrols: JMPD officers are being deployed to hotspot areas vulnerable to vandalism and cable theft. Both visible and covert operations aim to deter criminals and ensure arrests.
Specialised Units: The Infrastructure Protection Unit and Tactical Response Unit are prioritising infrastructure-related crimes, working closely with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and other law enforcement bodies.
Community Engagement: JMPD is encouraging residents to report suspicious activity around traffic signals, with community policing forums playing a key role.
Stronger Enforcement: Rigorous action against drunk and distracted drivers, who frequently damage traffic lights, is a priority. JMPD is collaborating with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure vandalism and cable theft are treated as serious offences.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Community Outreach Units are educating residents about the consequences of infrastructure damage and reckless driving.
The JRA also shared strategies. CEO Zweli Nyathi said malfunctioning traffic lights are mainly due to theft, technical faults, and accidents.
To counter this, more than 80% of traffic light controllers have Remote Monitoring Systems for quicker fault detection. Additionally, over 40 companies have partnered with the JRA to connect nearby traffic lights to backup power sources.
The city has intensified efforts to hold motorists accountable for damaging traffic signals, often linked to drunk or distracted driving.
While these measures are promising, the question remains: will they be enough to keep Joburg's traffic lights operational?
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