JRA: Traffic lights vandalised seven days after installation

The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) has once been hit by another incident of vandalism and theft of traffic lights at the intersection of Malboro, Far East Bank drive and North Way in Kelvin.

JRA EXPLAINS THE EFFECT OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS VANDALISM

The incident happened hardly seven days after a new set of traffic lights was installed at the intersection, according to JRA.

The traffic lights were cut down and signal heads were stolen. Some of the items that get stolen in such cases include traffic light poles, signal heads, electrical components and cables. Most of these items are sold for scrap. The result is an increase in traffic collisions and in the worst cases ending up in road fatalities.

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“Between December 2021 and January 2022, 172 traffic signals were damaged due to theft and vandalism and/or accidents. To rebuild an intersection costs are between R250 000 to R400 000 depending on the fault or damage. Theft and Vandalism of traffic lights is costing the JRA millions of Rands that could be used to improve other road infrastructure.”

JRA acting CEO T Mahanuke

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SHOCKING STATS ON DAMAGED OR STOLEN INFRASTRUCTURE

The JRA says over the past four years, 531(<25%) of Johannesburg’s 2028 signalised traffic intersections have been Vandalized by criminals using angle grinders to cut down the traffic signal poles at a replacement cost of R28. 1 million in the past year. This figure has increased to 172 Vandalized intersections (January 2022 to January 2023). In the month of January 2023 alone 26 traffic lights were vandalism and the hardest hit area being the inner city averaging 60% of cases. In the past month, the agency rebuilt 18 intersections.

“We need to do something about this criminality. Residents of the City must understand that the JRA is at work, but criminals are taking us back,” MMC for Transport, Councillor Kenny Kunene reacted.

Kunene went on to warn that vandalism and theft of road infrastructure is a criminal offence since it is done deliberately and it is maliciously.

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MEASURES TAKEN TO CURB THE SCOURGE

He says intervention measures to curb vandalism and theft of road infrastructure currently include the following:

• Collaboration with entities such as City Power, JMPD, SAPS and Security organizations to ensure a more effective response.
• Replacement of metal products with alternative materials which will replace the hand railings, brackets, manhole covers, grids and kerb inlet covers that have no financial value in the black market is now also being implemented. Alternative products have successfully been tested by means of pilot projects consisting of various types of materials i.e plastic, fibreglass, polymer etc. A reduction in the attractiveness of copper cables to vandals, either by using fewer cores or using an alternative material to copper as well as strengthening unit access and security has been piloted.
• Active Citizenry – This fight can be curbed through the investment of communities and active citizenry. There is a need for communities and road users to work together with the City. The City has prioritized Active Citizenry as a focus to enhancing service delivery. 

In conclusion, the City Of Johannesburg is urging community members and road users with information of perpetrators of these activities of vandalism and theft contact the City’s call Centre 0860 562 874 or report the criminal activities to the South African Police Service (SAPS) or Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).

The JRA also appealed to scrap yard owners not to buy JRA or the City’s assets when approached with these items. Scrap owners are encouraged to report this to the Metro Police or SA Police Service.

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