Heeding the calls of frustrated motorists and wards 23 and 24 councillors, DA representatives of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature conducted an oversight visit of the intersection of Great North and High roads, Brentwood Park, on October 30.

The visit was an effort to apply pressure on the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport to prioritise replacing the intersection’s broken traffic lights.

Shadow MEC for Transport and Logistics Evert du Plessis, who led the inspection, was shocked to learn that nearly 60 near-fatal accidents were recorded at the intersection in the past year.

Ward 23 Clr Gerald Goslin explained that an estimated 40 000 to 45 000 vehicles crossed the intersection daily.

“For more than a year, traffic comes to a standstill during peak hour, with motorists having to add another 40 to 50 minutes to their daily commute,” said Goslin.

“Efforts to have pointsmen deployed to the intersection have gone unanswered. The EMPD shifts blame to the Gauteng Traffic Department, stating that local authorities do not have jurisdiction over provincial roads.

“Thanks to the initiative of EMPD accident investigator Constable Matubatse Mashabela, who has voluntarily taken it upon himself to direct morning traffic, commuting times have improved, yet these efforts cannot fall on the shoulders of a single law-enforcer.”

Flinching at the sound of screeching tyres, Du Plessis said driver behaviour plays a vital role in road safety.

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“However, the onus rests with the provincial government to ensure the necessary resources are timeously made available to ensure that essential infrastructure, such as automated traffic signals, are in working order,” he said.

Nicole van Dyk, the DA spokesperson for transport, said that answers received from the MPL of the executive council for transport and logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, stating that the province has a maintenance backlog of R10.6b for 2025, and needs a further investment of R1.5b from 2026 to 2034, is whitewashing the true costs of delayed repairs.

“Failing to keep the roads safe and in trafficable condition could lead to motorists, who have been involved in serious accidents because of the broken traffic lights, to seek damages from the provincial government for not delivering on its mandate. This could negatively impact the department’s already dire finances,” said Van Dyk.

Du Plessis has thrown his weight behind local councillors, committing to adding additional pressure to their plight.

“Further pressure from the community could add weight to the cause. The voices of a unified community might force necessary action,” Du Plessis said.

“A petition is circulating, and we appeal to residents and motorists to add their names to the list of aggrieved citizens.”

Follow the link below to view and sign the petition: https://www.petitions.com/we_demand_decent_road_with_specific_reference_to_non-functioning_traffic_signals_broken_streetlights_potholes_non-visible_road_markings_lack_of_road_signs

ALSO READ: FOLLOW-UP: ‘Great North intersection a disaster waiting to happen’