Media statement
17 October 2023
The recent spate of theft and vandalism of traffic lights in Tshwane are causing significant disruptions to traffic flow in the city, according to the City’s Roads and Transport Department.
In the past few months, there has been a sharp increase in the number of traffic lights that have been vandalised or had their parts stolen within the boundaries of the City of Tshwane. Some of the parts include transformers and controllers.
This has led to many intersections operating without traffic lights, leading to long delays and an increased risk of accidents. Insurance claims are being processed in an attempt to recover such losses.
Similarly, the City has also noticed increased vandalism of traffic lights along provincial routes, which is the responsibility of the contractor appointed by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport to maintain and repair. Regular follow-ups are made to the province by the City’s technical maintenance teams should such intersections not be repaired timeously.
Theft and vandalism of traffic lights is a serious problem that is putting residents at risk. The City is working to repair damaged traffic lights as quickly as possible, but these crimes are having a significant impact on traffic flow and the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike. These problems are also compounded by intermittent power outages due to several reasons, including load-shedding, which is out of the City’s control.
The City urges residents to immediately report any suspicious activity around traffic lights to the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). Communities are cautioned not to confront people found tampering with a traffic light, but to rather report them to the TMPD on 012 358 7095/7096.
The City is also taking steps to deter theft and vandalism of traffic lights through the installation of security cameras and increased patrols in high-crime areas. However, the public’s cooperation is essential in preventing these crimes. By working together with communities, the City can help to keep its traffic lights safe and ensure that residents can travel safely.
The City is also working to raise public awareness of the problem of theft and vandalism of traffic lights through campaigns and different messages via its different communication platforms.
Issued by Communication, Marketing and Events.