Gauteng moves to recover costs from motorists who damage traffic signals in Roodepoort

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has lodged claims against motorists accused of damaging traffic-signal infrastructure at the intersection of Hendrik Potgieter and Nic Diedericks Street in Roodepoort, the department said.

Claims follow alleged drunk-driving incidents

Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the action follows three incidents reportedly involving drunk driving that resulted in damage to road infrastructure. “To date, three motorists allegedly involved in drunk-driving incidents that resulted in damage to road infrastructure have been identified,” Diale-Tlabela said.

Pressure on public resources

The MEC said ongoing vandalism, theft and vehicle-related damage to traffic-signal infrastructure places significant pressure on limited public resources. She said some traffic signals have been damaged through vandalism, cables have been stolen, illegal connections made, and in some cases signals damaged in vehicle crashes.

“Every time this happens, public funds must be diverted to repairs that could have been avoided,” Diale-Tlabela added, saying such incidents undermine efforts to provide safe and efficient road infrastructure across the province.

Legal recovery and technical responses

The department said it would seek to recover the costs of repairing and restoring the damaged infrastructure, subject to applicable legal and evidentiary requirements. The province cited the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act, under which a court may, following a conviction, order an offender to compensate the MEC or to repair, remove or restore damaged provincial infrastructure.

Separately, the department said it is piloting alternative technologies to strengthen monitoring of theft, vandalism and other incidents affecting traffic-signal infrastructure at provincial intersections.

Call for public vigilance

Diale-Tlabela urged residents to help protect public infrastructure by reporting incidents affecting traffic signals and other road assets.

“We need the public to be our eyes and ears on the ground. If you witness theft, vandalism, suspicious activity or damage to traffic-signal infrastructure, report it immediately. Do not assume someone else will… and never drink and drive,”

The MEC concluded that protecting roads and ensuring everyone’s safety is a shared responsibility.