JMPD warn motorists not to tip illegal pointsmen directing traffic during load-shedding
Illegal pointsmen direct traffic in new trick to earn a buck while alleviating traffic congestion despite danger and potential punishment from JMPD.
JMPD have suspicions that some informal pointsmen are possibly responsible for vandalising robots to keep directing traffic when power is restored after load-shedding.
Spokesperson Xolani Fihla said, “Some traffic lights are being vandalised to keep them offline for informal pointsmen to have a reason to be at the intersection, or to steal cables.”
But for many who are directing traffic informally, this is just another desperate way to make ends meet without any criminal intent.
They are not trained for this dangerous work but do it nonetheless. One such person Clement Seleka (30) sleeps rough in Melville and has turned to directing traffic at a busy Johannesburg intersection during load-shedding.
Seleka who normally begs at the intersection said, “I want to help. You don’t need to be a politician to help and drivers are less stressed and angry when we help the cars to move.” He claimed since he and his friends had started doing this, there have been fewer arguments between motorists and no collisions.
Asked how he learned to do this job, he said, “It’s not hard and I am not scared of being hit by a car. People are careful.
“Some people tip, some are cross but we can see it helps and many are grateful. We are just trying to do honest work.”
Seleka grew up an orphan and when he turned 18 needed to leave the home he was in. “Life is so hard, so, so hard but I am doing all I can to get some funds to eat a meal at night even though I sleep on the pavement.”
JMPD Superintendent for Region B Raymond Mamitela said, “We would like to stress that people who direct traffic when there is load-shedding are acting unlawfully. They do not have the proper training and it is dangerous for them and motorists. We appeal to drivers to stop giving them money for doing this as it encourages them to be there.”
A community member Morné Bezuidenhout felt that formalising the pointsmen could help. “Employ them and train them,” he said, while Elton Gregory Dukhi said, “Those guys who help out deserve a Bells.”
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said, “To try and alleviate congestion during peak hours, a directive was issued that all JMPD officers must take up point duty between 06:00–09:00 in the morning and 15:00–18:00 in the afternoon.”
He said officers have also been tasked with monitoring intersections outside of peak hours as they have received numerous complaints regarding unauthorised people controlling traffic.
Officers could not be at every intersection, so with the assistance of Traffic Free Flow sponsored by Outsurance, heavily congested roads, and major routes were prioritised.
He confirmed that the majority of traffic lights in the city were either not functioning or malfunctioning. “If a collision should occur, the City will not be liable for any damages unless traffic is controlled by JMPD officers or authorised officials.”
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