Damaged sign on Cedar Road could infer a broken window
Knocked over by a car and slowed by tight budgets, the damaged road sign is a reminder from councillor David Foley for the community to report even small problems.
A damaged road sign on Cedar Road in Fourways has caught the attention of Ward 94 councillor David Foley, who says the issue goes beyond just an eyesore; it’s a reflection of how residents, and the city, care for their community.
Foley said the large directional sign appears to have been knocked over by a vehicle a few months ago. While it may seem like a minor matter, he believes such neglect contributes to the broken window effect, where small signs of decay can lead to broader neglect. “If you have a few damaged or neglected signs, it starts to look like people don’t care, but if you fix the small things, like a bent sign or a broken window, you send a message that the area is cared for.”
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Foley confirmed that he had reported the issue to Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport (GPDRT) officials, who assured him that a maintenance team would attend to it.
However, he acknowledged that limited budgets, and staff shortages, often delay repairs. “Something like that should ideally be fixed within a week or two, but with current constraints – money, staff, materials – it takes a bit longer. They have to go through various processes before anything happens.”
Also read: JRA is fixing Ward 94s streets
Although the sign is informational, and not a stop sign or warning signal, Foley said that all public infrastructure should be well-maintained to ensure order and safety. “If we miss the small things, we’ll miss the big ones too. Everything in our community should be in working condition and fit for purpose.”
Foley urged residents to take an active role in maintaining the ward’s appearance by reporting issues directly to the relevant entities, or through him. “The authorities can’t be everywhere all the time. If every resident reports what they see, we can get a lot more done. We all have a part to play in keeping our area neat and functional.”
Ward 94 councillor David Foley inspects the damaged Cedar Road sign on October 14, 2025, reminding residents to report issues promptly. Photo: Ditiro Masuku.
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