JRA faces R70m backlog as theft and vandalism cripple traffic lights
Councillor Lynda Shackleford highlights the dangers of Sandton’s damaged traffic lights, urging JRA to address the crisis affecting road safety.
Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackleford has expressed grave concern over the state of traffic lights along Rivonia Road, referring to them as a graveyard of robots.
With numerous traffic lights knocked down or vandalised in Sandton and surrounding areas, the safety of drivers and pedestrians is at risk.
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has acknowledged the issues, citing rampant vandalism and power outages as significant challenges.
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The agency is responsible for maintaining over 2 000 signalised intersections across Johannesburg, but ongoing theft and damage have created a backlog of repairs amounting to over R70m.
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi addressed the situation, emphasising the severity of the problem.
“The primary contributors to malfunctioning traffic signals include technical faults, power outages, theft, vandalism, and accidents. Globally, cities face similar challenges, but it is up to us to develop solutions tailored to South Africa’s unique context.”
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According to Nyathi, JRA oversees a vast network of more than 16 000 poles, 100 000 LED bulbs, and 2 023 controller boxes, which must all function seamlessly. However, the agency is struggling to keep up with the growing number of incidents.
“There are currently over 360 cases of vandalism reported, with new incidents occurring daily. The damage includes cut poles, stolen cables, and significant disruption to service delivery.”
He added that to address the issue, JRA has implemented several measures.
“To combat technical faults, the agency has installed Remote Monitoring Systems (RMS) on over 80% of traffic light controllers, enabling faster identification and response to faults. Additionally, JRA has partnered with over 40 companies to provide backup power to critical intersections, with plans to link more intersections by mid-2025.”
Despite these efforts, theft continues to impede progress.
Nyathi highlighted the ongoing problem, stating: “Theft and vandalism not only target JRA infrastructure but also compromise Eskom and City Power cables, leading to prolonged repairs.”
He also noted that recurring theft undermines the longevity of traffic lights, which can last up to 10 years if properly maintained.
In response to accidents that damage traffic signals, JRA has teamed up with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to hold motorists accountable.
“Many incidents are caused by distracted drivers, those who are drunk, texting, or talking on their phones.”
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