JRA tackles theft and vandalism

A joint effort by the agency, police and Metro police to tackle these issues has resulted in several arrests of suspects in possession of stolen municipal property and for vandalism.

In January and February, seven suspects were arrested in three separate incidents.

Most recently, police arrested three suspects for stealing the agency’s paving bricks in Klipvalley Road.

According to the agency, the suspects claimed to be roads agency workers but this was later refuted by the depot manager, and the paving blocks were returned.

Earlier in February, two suspects were detained for being in possession of seven manhole covers, which Metro police discovered during a search of illegal shacks on the M2 West Crown Interchange.

On 14 January, two suspects were arrested for stealing and vandalising the agency’s traffic signal Uninterrupted Power Supply equipment on the corner of the M1 and Booysens offramp.

Theft and vandalism of municipal property posed a threat to public safety and placed a hefty strain on municipal departments because it hampered their ability to provide efficient service delivery, the agency said.

“Despite our efforts to provide quality roads that are accessible, safe and liveable… the rampant theft, vandalism and sabotage of road signage, guard rails, traffic lights and other road furniture is a drain on our budget and on the roads agency teams who constantly have to replace and repair damaged and stolen infrastructure,” the agency’s managing director Skhumbuzo Macozoma said.

The agency called on scrapyard owners not to purchase municipal property and advised them to report individuals who approach them with such items to the police.

Additionally, the public were urged to assist in efforts to reduce theft and vandalism by reporting incidents to the City of Johannesburg’s call centre on 086 056 2874 or the police.