Motorists in Paulshof and surrounding suburbs are enduring yet another day of gridlock as several major traffic lights, including the critical Witkoppen and Main roads intersection, remain dark for a third consecutive month.

Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy stood at the malfunctioning robots on Witkoppen and Main roads on November 21, flanked by frustrated residents, to deliver a blunt message to Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

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“Please get these roads repaired. This intersection has been completely dead for three months. Before that, it was out of order for 15 straight months until a short-lived repair in May.

“The same applies to Bryan Brook Estate, as well as the Maxwell, Vanderbijl, and Rivonia roads intersections, all causing absolute mayhem for motorists.”

Reddy revealed that JRA-managed intersections in the ward are being held hostage by an unresolved account dispute with Eskom. While the Witkoppen and Main roads intersection falls under provincial jurisdiction.

Last month, JRA spokesperson Mosa Makhalima confirmed to the Fourways Review that the problem at Witkoppen and Main roads was primarily power-related, with Eskom supplying the electricity.

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The agency said the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport was in close communication with Eskom, and that both parties were working to resolve the matter speedily, promising updates in due course.

More than five weeks later, no updates have been issued, and the lights are still off, according to Reddy.

We reached out to Makhalima again for an update, as well as Daphne Mokwena from Eskom. The article will be updated once their replies are received.

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