Vital infrastructure vanishes, leaving behind danger and frustration.
For several weeks the traffic signals at the corner of Albertina Sisulu Road and Corlett Avenue have either been off or flashing red. As of the morning of Wednesday, November 3, the intersection had no standing traffic signals. The one that remains lies flat in the centre island while the others have been removed, either cut off at the base or stripped of the lights at the top.
One man has been apprehended in connection with the situation when he was found in possession of stolen items and steel-cutting tools. The man was tracked by several private security companies to an intersection a few hundred metres from the scene where police later made the arrest. “One suspect was arrested for tampering with infrastructure and theft at lower Main Reef Road and General Pienaar Avenue. The investigation is ongoing,” confirmed Johannesburg West Cluster spokesperson, Captain Makgowanyana Maja.
Johannesburg Roads Agency is aware of the problem and has indicated that the traffic signals at the intersection will be restored once their depot has received ‘delivery of the low copper content cables’ that they believe may deter a recurrence of this level of theft and vandalism. The busy intersection has seen several accidents in recent weeks, including another on Wednesday morning November 3, so motorists are urged to exercise caution until service is restored.
