The traffic light repair on Hendrik Potgieter Road was a short reprieve for motorists.
Several accidents, one of which resulted in the death of a pedestrian, prompted the Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport (GPDRT) to repair the power supply to a set of traffic lights that have been off for much of 2023. The intersection outside the popular mall and bulk retailer is one of three in the near vicinity which motorists have grown accustomed to treating as a stop street, with varying degrees of congestion.
On June 19, GPDRT sent visual confirmation that the traffic lights had been restored but by the end of the month they had again fallen dark. In response to questions posed on June 8 regarding the unfortunate pedestrian incident, GPDRT stated, “Following maintenance works that were performed over the past two years, the department observed that regular theft, vandalism and general tempering of signal equipment occurs at these and other intersections shortly after repairs have been performed.”
The informal traffic directors have been less prevalent as authorised pointsmen have been a regular sight at the intersection that serves as the loop onto Christiaan de Wet Road from Hendrik Potgieter Road.
“The department suspects that these and other signals are deliberately being tampered with by displaced persons so that an opportunity is created to direct traffic. The department is currently investigating this matter which has also been brought to the attention of law enforcement authorities,” stated the GPDRT media team.
• Also read: ANC constituency chairperson raises concerns about labour opportunities at Hendrik Potgieter Road bridge rebuild
The provincial road custodians are aiming for an improved commuting experience. Outlining their intentions, the media team added, “Law enforcement authorities have been asked to remove persons illegally directing traffic on our roads. The department plans to train and legally employ points persons to perform traffic management services and the process to do so is at an advanced planning stage.”
