JRA fights back against vandalists
Seven arrests made relating to vandalism and theft.
Roodepoort — The Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) fight against vandalism and theft has reaped positive results over January and February, with several arrests of suspects for being in possession of stolen JRA assets in addition to vandalism.
The success is due to close cooperation between the JRA, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The first breakthrough was on Tuesday 14 January when two suspects were arrested for stealing and vandalising the JRA traffic signal Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) equipment at the corner of the M1 and Booysens off-ramp.
The second arrest involved two suspects who were arrested on Sunday 9 February for being in possession of seven manhole covers. The manhole covers were discovered by JMPD members after conducting a search of illegal shacks on the M2 West Crown Interchange. The most recent arrest was on Friday 14 February when three suspects were arrested by the SAPS for stealing JRA paving bricks at the footways in Klipvalley Road between Moroka Nancefield and Khumalo Street. The suspects claimed that they were working for the JRA, but the claim was denied by the JRA Depot Manager. The paving blocks were returned to JRA.
Theft and vandalism of road infrastructure and city furniture is a serious disabler on the JRA’s ability to deliver on its mandate.
JRA Managing Director Skhumbuzo Macozoma explains, “Despite our efforts to provide quality roads that are accessible, safe and liveable for the Johannesburg community, the rampant theft, vandalism and sabotage of road signage, guard rails, traffic lights and other road furniture are drains on our budget and on the JRA teams who constantly have to replace and repair damaged and stolen infrastructure.
“Furthermore, these crimes threaten the safety of road users and on the extreme, result in fatalities. In addition, this spate
of infrastructure theft and vandalism is a direct sabotage and devaluation of the City’s infrastructure assets that may scare investors away from the City and seriously compromise the City’s economic growth potential. The citizens of the City are urged to stand up and help fight this threat to our common destiny.”
The Agency is appealing to scrapyard owners not to purchase JRA or CoJ assets. When approached with these items, they are encouraged to report this to the JMPD or SAPS.
The Agency has created an Infrastructure Protection Unit to ensure a more effective response to vandalism and theft through closer institutional relationships with the JMPD, SAPS and other security organisations. In this regard, JRA personnel recently undertook a visit to Durban and Cape Town with a JMPD team to ascertain the benchmark for best practice in combatting vandalism and theft.
The JRA is requesting members of the community to engage in the City’s Active Citizenry initiative and report all acts of vandalism and theft of road infrastructure and City’s furniture.
Anyone with information on activities of vandalism and theft is requested to contact the City of Johannesburg’s Call Centre 0860 562 874 or report these criminal activities to the SAPS or JMPD.
