Informal pointsmen set the record straight
Lebogang and Adam, who are informal traders, say they are not responsible for the traffic lights that are not working.
Fourways residents have been complaining about informal traffic directors, also known as ‘unofficial traffic controllers’, who are usually seen navigating traffic at major intersections.
While some residents have responded positively to their services, others were not pleased and expressed concerns about their intentions and methods.
In a surprising twist, the informal traffic directors themselves are claiming to be helping traffic flow, while the Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy and residents have spoken out against them, accusing them of disabling traffic lights to make a profit.
Read more: Slowly but surely annoying flashing traffic lights will stay switched on
Lebogang and Adam, who usually target Witkoppen and Main Road, said there is nothing that they do wrong as they are attempting to fill the void left by malfunctioning traffic lights by directing traffic manually.
They claim their presence is intended to ensure safety and order on the roads, rather than causing chaos.
The duo dismissed allegations that informal traders in the area purposefully disconnected the traffic lights.
“We don’t know how they are even disconnected. We target traffic lights that have not been working for a long time, and where there are no police or traffic directors to help with traffic. Because we are helping people they then give us money or food, but we don’t disconnect any traffic light. Most of these traffic lights have not been working for months now.”
Also read: Authorities to hand over traffic lights responsibilities to local shopping centres
However, residents and Reddy have taken a different stance, stating that these individuals are disabling the traffic lights to control the flow of traffic during peak hours and making a profit in the process.
Mangwane Hlongwane, a local taxi driver also commented on saying this is now becoming a pattern, “During peak hours the traffic lights are not working; we have ‘pointermens’ directing traffic but during normal hours you will find traffic lights working. This is indeed beginning to be suspicious and these traffic directors demand money, violently when controlling traffic.”
Residents have been divided on the issue, with some appreciating the informal directors’ efforts to manage traffic, while others believe they are indeed causing more harm than good. Some have reported feeling frustrated and anxious when interacting with these individuals, who often demand payment in exchange for their services.
The JMPD’s Superintendent Xolano Fihla said, “We strongly discourage motorists from offering money to unauthorised individuals as an incentive to control traffic. This practice not only encourages them to continue but also leads some to tamper with traffic lights for monetary gains.
“This behaviour poses a significant risk to these unauthorised individuals, who may be hit by vehicles. We urge all motorists to adhere to and obey the rules of the road consistently. In the absence of pointsmen, we ask them to treat the intersection as a compulsory stop.”
Reddy urged residents to report all traffic lights that may not be working and stop tipping unofficial traffic. “It’s unacceptable that these individuals are disabling our traffic lights to line their pockets. They’re not providing a service they’re creating a hazard. I urge residents not to give them any money or support their activities.”
Related article: Illegal traffic pointsmen make money from tampering with the Citys infrastructure
