Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) has launched an Infrastructure Protection Unit (IPU) in response to ever-increasing vandalism of road infrastructures and cable theft.
The entity is rolling out a remote monitoring system which would enable them to instantly detect faulty traffic lights.
This system will be in place at all traffic lights in the City by the end of June this year. The remote monitoring system will also enable the new Unit to react quickly where such faults have been caused by theft or vandalism.
The IPU is a joint project between JRA and JMPD to break up theft syndicates and apprehend petty thieves and vandals who steal and destroy traffic signals and road infrastructure such as manhole covers, stormwater covers, road signs and bridge handrails.
The City’s MMC for Transport, Christine Walters, said during the launch at Soweto Theatre on 19 May that the destruction of road and traffic infrastructure can have a debilitating impact on the City’s economy.
“We regard it as economic sabotage. Joburg communities now realise that broken traffic lights as a result of a theft of equipment and stolen manhole covers, have a cascading and multiplying impact on economic growth,” she said.
JRA managing director Dr Sean Phillips explained that the unit will work closely with the JMPD, the police and the criminal justice system to catch vandals and cable thieves, collect evidence and bring them to court.
Its primary actions would be to take steps against the big players – the dealers and syndicates who buy stolen cables or metal at rock-bottom prices from peddlers.
“We will work with organised business and labour, with large companies and emerging enterprises – especially those involved in the scrap metal value chain,” he said.
Residents are encouraged to report any incidents of vandalism or theft of road equipment to the City, through the JMPD at 011 375 5911, by emailing protect@jra.org.za, via twitter @myjra, or via the JRA’s Find & Fix App.
JRA has spent more than R1.4 billion over the past three years on road infrastructure development.
Details: Joburg Road Agency, 0860 562 874.
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