The City’s Roads and Transport Department is concerned about the increased theft and vandalism of traffic lights in Tshwane, which has led to disruptions on the road.
In the past few months, Tshwane has become a hotspot for infrastructure theft, such as traffic light parts being stolen or vandalised. Some of the parts include transformers and controllers, leading to many intersections operating without traffic lights, which increases the risk of accidents.
The same problem has been identified along provincial routes, which remains the responsibility of the contractor appointed by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport to maintain and repair. Regular investigations are made by the City’s technical maintenance teams if such incidents are not attended to in a timely manner.
These crimes have a significant impact on traffic flow and the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike. However, the City is working timeously to restore the damaged traffic lights.
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 creating awareness through campaigns and different messages via its different communication platforms.