The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is strongly condemning the senseless vandalism of newly repaired streetlights and traffic signals along the R55 route.
The R55 is a north-south provincial route in Gauteng that connects Sandton with Pretoria. It passes Woodmead, Kyalami, Olievenhoutbosch, Heuweloord, Sunderland Ridge, Erasmia, Laudium/Claudius, West Park, the Daspoort Tunnel, and Danville, connecting with the M1, N14, and R80 highways.
This incident comes just days after the department successfully restored functionality to the route, a project widely welcomed by communities for improving road safety, visibility, and traffic management. Overnight, however, large sections of the infrastructure were maliciously damaged, plunging parts of the corridor back into darkness and reversing recent progress.
Also read: JMPD will respond to R55 reckless driving
MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela expressed deep disappointment and outrage at the deliberate destruction of public assets. “This is an attack on the people of Gauteng. Every light pole destroyed and every signal cable stolen takes us a step backwards in our mission to build safer, more connected communities. This reckless behaviour undermines service delivery, wastes public funds, and puts lives at risk. We cannot and will not tolerate it.”
The MEC has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS), municipal law enforcement, and community policing forums to intensify efforts to safeguard public infrastructure and bring the perpetrators to justice. “We appeal to communities to stand with us in protecting these assets. Report suspicious activity, report vandalism, and refuse to allow criminal elements to hold our progress hostage. Working together, we can secure and sustain the infrastructure that serves us all.”
The department remains resolute in its commitment to restore and maintain transport infrastructure across Gauteng, despite ongoing challenges.
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