Thieves target infrastructure along closed-off section of Rondebult Road
Apart from the direct toll on the public purse, the attacks often turn rush hour periods on the city’s busiest roads into a nightmare.
Thieves have been quick to take advantage of municipal infrastructure on the now deserted stretch of Rondebult Road in Comet.
It’s only a few weeks since the road was closed due to a sinkhole and already criminals have cut down the traffic lights and stolen the cables and lights, at a replacement cost of about R250 000, according to Ekurhuleni metro.
Boksburg Advertiser spoke to hawkers operating near the traffic lights and they alleged the criminals were after the copper cable in the traffic lights.
Approached for comment on the issue, the metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, confirmed that the city’s roads department is aware of the vandalism.
“We strongly believe copper cable is the motive behind this act of criminality,” he said.
He pointed out that vandalism of traffic signals is a metro-wide problem being compounded by load-shedding as criminals tend to strike while the power is off because there is no risk of electrocution.
Public assistance
The city appeals to the public to assist in the battle to save the city’s road traffic signals from rampant theft and vandalism.
“However, no amount of appealing can change the situation if members of the public do not actively share information with the authorities,” said Dlamini.
“It must be emphasised that in such crimes, there is a willing buyer who creates the market for criminals to continue with their operations. Sadly, someone out there knows the value chain but they are sitting on the information.
“Infrastructure vandalism is a societal problem, just like any other act of crime.”
Any form of attacks on essential public infrastructure may be reported to Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the Ekurhuleni Call Centre on 011 999 5645 (Boksburg).
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