Gauteng takes back traffic light maintenance
JRA and GPDRT working relationship came to an end with immediate effect from March 31.
The Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport (GPDRT) have agreed to end the working relationship that has seen JRA design, instal, repair and maintain traffic signals on several provincial roads.
ALSO READ: Fatal crash highlights concerns at Modderfontein Road and Emerald Boulevard intersection
This decision to end the agreement with immediate effect from March 31 came ahead of protracted negotiations between the two entities.
On the front page of the April 6 edition of the NEWS, concerns were raised about traffic light maintenance after two people died in a collision at the intersection of Modderfontein Road and Emerald Boulevard on March 27.
In the article, Ward 32 councillor Dimakatso Moloisane said the non-functioning traffic lights were first reported in September.
The NEWS sent a formal enquiry to the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) regarding the many complaints about the intersection on March 29. On the same day, technicians were dispatched to repair the traffic lights.
The NEWS also questioned rumours of talks between JRA and GPDRT over maintenance agreements.
In response to the NEWS’ enquiry, JRA’s Kelebogile Mafa said although the intersection is a provincial road, JRA handled the maintenance of traffic lights.
She said there were ongoing discussions between JRA and GPDRT over maintenance agreements for provincial roads such as Modderfontein Road but could not elaborate.
On April 7, the NEWS was informed that CoJ MMC for Transport Funzi Ngobeni and MEC for Roads and Transport Jacob Mamabolo ended the working relationship between JRA and GPDRT.
“We could not agree to renew a service level agreement (SLA) that would have seen the agency continue to maintain and repair 231 signalised intersections on provincial roads across CoJ,” Ngobeni said.
He added the SLA was first entered in September 2017 but expired in August 2020.
“Since then, many attempts have been made to renew the SLA, which have been unsuccessful,” Ngobeni said.
He said in a meeting with Mamabolo in March, the MEC indicated the reason for the non-renewal of the JRA SLA was because of discrepancies in JRA’s tax affairs.
“The tax dispute between JRA and Sars is going through a legal process, with the agency’s legal team having issued a notification to Sars of its intention to refer the matter to Tax Court.
“In terms of the law, Sars has 45 days, which is until May 30, to issue a record of decision. After that, JRA has 20 days to launch the application.
“Based on this development, JRA had a discussion with Sars officials and we were requested to do an online application for a tax clearance certificate on March 25. We are waiting for the outcome,” he said.
Ngobeni said despite ongoing negotiations, JRA continued to repair and maintain the province’s traffic signals.
“It is important to note that JRA simply could not leave these intersections unmaintained while motorists, who are none the wiser about whether these were the responsibility of JRA or the provincial government, continued to experience daily frustrations,” he said.
The handover process of 231 maintained intersections in the asset registry is now underway.
“The physical sign over of the intersection design documents will take place this week. The municipal accounts will then be closed at JRA and GPDRT will have to open accounts with City Power and Eskom,” Ngobeni said.
Motorists who wish to report vandalised, non-functioning or dysfunctional JRA traffic signals should contact the following number: 0860 562 874 (0860 JOBURG) and select option five.
“As the political principal tasked with oversight over roads and transport-related matters in CoJ, this decision has not been an easy one, but I must be transparent with residents and other important stakeholders.
“I hope that this decision, and the communication that accompanies it, contribute to the easing of frustrations endured by all stakeholders over the last while,” Ngobeni said.
Affected intersections:
Modderfontein Road and intersections with Centenary Road, Brunton Circle, Pressburg Road, Emerald Boulevard, Peace Close, Hereford Drive and Van Riebeeck Avenue and Parkway South.
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