By Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has sharply criticized the Democratic Alliance (DA) for staging what she termed a political “publicity stunt” over broken traffic signals, insisting that provincial restoration efforts are already making tangible progress on the ground.
Acknowledging the widespread frustration among commuters, parents, and daily road users facing gridlock, Diale-Tlabela emphasized that political grandstanding offers no solutions to complex infrastructure challenges. Instead, she reiterated that active repairs and long-term modernization plans are actively underway across the province.
“Every driver wants to get through an intersection safely and without unnecessary delays,” said Diale-Tlabela. “The answer to the problem is not political grandstanding, but getting contractors onto the ground and fixing the infrastructure. That is exactly what we are doing.”
A 36-Month Strategy for Provincial Roads
The Department of Roads and Transport has launched a comprehensive 36-month traffic signal repair and restoration programme. Out of the more than 4,500 signalised intersections across Gauteng, the provincial department holds direct responsibility for 547.
The three-year initiative focuses on:
- Restoration and Replacement: Repairing damaged infrastructure and fully replacing vandalised equipment.
- System Upgrades & Security: Integrating modern technologies alongside reinforced security measures to deter criminal activity.
- Centralized Oversight: Establishing the Provincial Transport Management Centre to streamline real-time monitoring of traffic flows and signal statuses.
The Beyond-Maintenance Challenge
Addressing public perceptions of government neglect, Diale-Tlabela pointed out that the crisis extends far beyond routine maintenance or aging equipment. The department faces persistent external disruptions, including widespread cable theft, deliberate vandalism, illegal electrical connections, and vehicle crashes.
Demonstrating the unpredictable nature of infrastructure damage, a collision involving two vehicles damaged a key traffic signal at the intersection of 5th Street and Grayson Drive. Such incidents force the province to divert public funds toward unforeseen repairs that could otherwise support broader network development.
“We are not dealing with one problem,” Diale-Tlabela noted. “We are dealing with vandalism, theft, accidents, ageing infrastructure, and the need to modernise our traffic signal network. That is why we have put a long-term programme in place rather than relying on temporary fixes.”
Public Scrutiny vs. Public Partnership
While affirming that the department welcomes legitimate public scrutiny and constructive opposition feedback, the MEC called on political parties to present an honest representation of current progress.
She urged residents to take an active role as joint custodians of public infrastructure. Appealing directly to motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and local communities, she asked the public to report suspicious activities, theft, or damaged signals to TrafficSignals@gauteng.gov.za.
“These are public assets,” Diale-Tlabela asserted. “They belong to all of us, and when they are damaged, all of us pay the price. A simple report could help us prevent an intersection from becoming dangerous for hundreds or even thousands of people.”
