The traffic lights at the busy Cussonia and Stanza Bopape intersection next to the Pretoria Botanical Garden have been restored after the main transformer was vandalised.

The traffic lights have been out of service for over three weeks, leading to nothing but traffic congestion and frustration for motorists and commuters.

Residents and motorists have raised serious concerns about the traffic lights for the past three weeks.

This intersection is a major route leading to Pretoria CBD from Silverton, Mamelodi, and Lynnwood. The non-functioning lights had created a serious safety risk as taxi operators and the Tshwane Bus Service were forced to navigate the junction without control.

Last year, the same traffic lights were out of service for 9–10 months, and residents were alarmed that the problem had reoccurred despite previous repairs.

Residents and motorists alike said the prolonged outages of the traffic lights were causing massive traffic congestion during morning and afternoon peak hours, adding to travel time.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the Cussonia and Stanza Bopape streets’ main transformer, responsible for the power supply to the traffic signals, was vandalised.

He said, however, that the electricity supply has now been restored.

“The city’s Energy and Electricity Business Unit procured a new transformer, and it was installed in a new bolted storage to prevent unauthorised access,” Mashigo explained.

Mashigo added that the new cabling to the robots was also repaired.

“Unfortunately, this year, the said storage was broken into and the transformer was vandalised.”

Mashigo said the city had asked OUTsurance pointsmen to assist in managing traffic in the interim during the peak hours, and had increased visible TMPD patrols at the intersection.

“We will continue to put innovative and technological security measures in place to mitigate these ongoing criminal activities on the electricity infrastructure. Furthermore, the city has opened a case with SAPS for the criminality that is taking place in the area.”

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