Johannesburg Roads Agency Faces Over R70 Million Repair Bill for Vandalised Traffic Lights

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has revealed that it requires more than R70 million to repair the city’s traffic lights, many of which have been vandalised or stolen. As residents and commuters deal with hours of traffic delays, the problem continues to disrupt daily travel across Johannesburg and other municipalities in Gauteng, including Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

The ongoing issue of non-functional traffic lights is causing significant disruption to Johannesburg’s daily traffic flow. Drivers report waiting over 30 minutes at broken signals, worsening congestion and extending travel times. Beyer’s Naudé Drive, a major route starting at the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park and running through Melville, Roosevelt Park, and Northcliff, is among the worst-hit areas. Many traffic lights on this busy road have been stolen, adding to the growing frustration of commuters.

Joburg motorists are battling dangerous roads, with broken traffic lights adding to the chaos. Every day, non-working traffic lights increase the chances of accidents, making roads more hazardous for both motorists and pedestrians.
The DA demands immediate action to fix these… pic.twitter.com/AFZ9Dxg3OV

— Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku (@BelindaE6) November 14, 2024

Thandeka Mduna, a 42-year-old resident from Honeydew, expressed her frustrations with the ongoing traffic issues. “It’s been over five years since the traffic lights were stolen or vandalised, and some remain unrepaired,” Mduna said. The constant delays, especially during peak hours, are aggravating for her and other commuters.

Similarly, Alfred Boya, 33, from Cosmo City, voiced his concern about the inconsistent functioning of traffic lights along Malibongwe Drive. “Sometimes the lights work, sometimes they don’t, and it’s incredibly frustrating, especially when you rely on these roads to get to work,” Boya added.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) manages a vast network of traffic signal infrastructure, including 2,023 signalised intersections, over 16,000 poles, 100,000 LED bulbs, and 2,023 control boxes. However, this infrastructure has become a target for thieves and vandals, with over 360 reported incidents of theft and vandalism just last month.

Sipho Nhlapo, JRA’s acting head of traffic lights, confirmed the severity of the problem. “Theft and vandalism are major contributors to the damage, and power outages make these crimes easier to commit,” Nhlapo explained. The JRA is currently working with contractors to restore these vital intersections, although the repair process is ongoing, and the numbers are constantly changing.

The JRA estimates that the cost to repair each stolen or damaged traffic light is approximately R500,000. With the scale of the damage across Johannesburg, the agency estimates that over R70 million is needed to restore all the affected intersections. Despite the challenges, Nhlapo reassured that the JRA is already addressing the issue and is exploring new, innovative solutions to improve the infrastructure.

In addition to addressing traffic light damage, the JRA continues to work with power utility companies, including City Power and Eskom, to tackle theft and vandalism of their infrastructure. “We continue to liaise with the power utilities to seek their assistance in addressing the challenges we face,” Nhlapo added.

As the city works towards restoring its traffic light network, the public is urged to report any incidents of theft or vandalism to help reduce these disruptions.

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