By Levy Masiteng
After months of frustration and gridlocked roads, drivers in Joburg can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Despite being the host city for the G20 Summit in November, Joburg has been plagued by a malfunctioning traffic light system for months.
Major roads such as Beyers Naudé Drive, Bruma, Bryanston, Douglasdale, Fourways, the Golden Highway, Gordon Road, Grayston Drive, Hendrik Potgieter Road, and Jan Smuts Avenue have all experienced malfunctioning traffic light system.
On Thursday, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) announced a major partnership with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) to address these issues.
In February 2025, the GDRT and JRA signed a service level agreement to restore, protect traffic signals from vandalism, cable theft and criminality.
In terms of the partnership, the JRA is required to undertake installation and maintenance of traffic lights as determined by the Department, valid for a year with an option for extension.
Since their collaboration began last month, some progress has been made in restoring and safeguarding traffic control equipment along provincial roads within the City of Joburg.
This is evident in the restoration of several critical intersections, while others remain under repair as the JRA continues its work.
Efforts to repair and protect traffic signals are ongoing at the following intersections: Main Road (R55) & Arthur Road, Main Road & Sloane Street, Main Road & Mopani Road, Witkoppen Road & Kingfisher Drive, Witkoppen Road & Cedar Road, Winnie Mandela Drive & Leslie Avenue, Malibongwe Drive & Kapital Street, Malibongwe Drive & River Road, and Woodmead & M1 North.
City of Johannesburg MMC for Roads and Transport, Kenny Kunene, whose department oversees the JRA, praised the collaboration and pledged to address the city’s traffic challenges
“We are elated as the Transport Department and JRA to have finally agreed upon this mandate, as it will capacitate us to service our communities more expeditiously. Of the 251 traffic signals under provincial jurisdiction, we have been tasked with the critical repair of 60 of the most vandalised signals, a commitment that extends through the end of the current financial year in June 2025,” said Kunene.
“Our collaborative efforts across various departments and spheres of government have proven essential in effectively serving our communities. We are optimistic about expanding this partnership to include maintenance within the service level agreement, reaffirming our readiness to deliver results for the people of Johannesburg.”
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela appealed to residents to safeguard road infrastructure, urging them to report any suspicious acts of vandalism or theft to law enforcement agencies.
“We plead to communities to immediately report any suspicious acts of vandalism or theft of traffic signals to law enforcement agencies for action,” appealed Diale-Tlabela.
As a temporary measure, the Department has converted some signalised intersections into four-way stops to improve safety and traffic flow.
JRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zweli Nyathi, commended the restoration work undertaken by both teams.
“Traffic signals along key arterial routes have been prioritised and we are encouraged by the easing of congestion”, said Nyathi.
“We now look forward to seeing more intersections repaired and working.”
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