Windscreen washers run amok

Attempts to rid a Bruma intersection of windscreen washers seems to be failing and motorists are paying the price.

Despite being chased after and constant patrols by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and SAPS, windscreen washers refuse to stop operating at the Allum Road, Marcia Street and Albertina Sisulu Road intersection.

Motorists believe it is just a matter of time before someone is injured or dies as a result of an altercation.

Following several media enquiries sent to authorities and articles published last year about the brazen windscreen washers, the JMPD and SAPS stepped up operations.

The organisations started working together to attend to the problem.

Constant patrols, monitoring of the area and police vehicles parked at visible spots led to a drastic change. However, the windscreen washers soon learnt how to work around the JMPD and SAPS.

They started operating while police officers changed shifts. Then they established what times JMPD officers were away, attending to other problems.

Now they are operating in full swing, while authorities are busy elsewhere. They are also brazen enough to start running at the last minute should an officer approach them.

Motorists are bearing the brunt of this. They continue to be harassed, threatened and provoked.

Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer, said police officers continue to conduct regular patrols, however, windscreen washers “spot them and run away”.

Despite motorists raising their concerns with the EXPRESS, Const Mashakane said no one has come forward to open a case against the windscreen washers.

These would be charges that fall under the SAPS’ jurisdiction.

Bylaw contraventions would have to be reported to the JMPD.

A suggestion made in the past was the placement of patrollers in hotspots such as this intersection. While this idea was welcomed, Const Mashakane said, “Our station does not have any patrollers at the moment. We are waiting for the Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) to make arrangements with the Department of Community Safety.

Mr Godfrey Mothibe, the chairperson of the CCPF, previously stated that he realises the urgency for patroller deployment.

A total of 61 people were sent for fingerprinting and 32 were inducted. They are ready to be deployed. However, these patrollers are still waiting for uniforms and torches.

Sergeant Marius Boolsen, from the JMPD, said although officers are attending to the problem, it has worsened over the past month.

“We conducted operations there in the past. Now, after attending point duty, officers go to the intersection to attend to the windscreen washer problem and then to contraventions in Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene.

“The windscreen washers operate in full force when we leave to direct traffic outside schools and during peak-hour traffic. We are trying to find ways of addressing this. We had a meeting to discuss concerns. I have compiled reports and handed them to superiors. I urge the public to contact the JMPD should they encounter problems at the intersection,” he said.

A member of the public requested a warning board advising motorists that the intersection is a hotspot, that they should not support windscreen washers and should report problems to the relevant authorities.

Ms Bertha Peters-Scheepers, from the JRA, said the agency understands the concerns raised by motorists, however, the requested signs are not permitted.

“Road signs installed within the road reserve are regulated by the Road Traffic Act and Road Traffic Signs Guidelines. Only signs recognised by the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARTSM) are allowed to be installed within the road reserve. The request for these types of warning signs are not covered in the Act,” she said.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, the spokesperson for the JMPD, said he will convey the request for officers at the intersection during peak times to the relevant people.

“We will try our best to be there at peak times,” he said.@JoziReporter