The intersection at Wilgerood Road and Christiaan de Wet Road, infamous for being one of the top 10 smash and grab hotspots in Johannesburg, are now also the location for another crime.
According to an unofficial but reliable source privy to information of the City of Johannesburg, the traffic lights at this intersection is now being targeted by copper cable thieves.
The source says Johannesburg Road Agency’s (JRA) Traffic Signal team redid the whole intersection in January at a cost of R260 000 to the taxpayer. Two weeks later though the traffic light poles were cut off and the copper cables inside stolen. The JRA team had to repair them again which incurred more costs for the taxpayer.
Last Sunday night the thieves struck again. According to the source it is alleged the thieves use the cliff as an escape route and they strip the cables right next to the road. He also says load shedding is to blame since this affords the criminals the chance to vandalise the traffic lights with little chance of being caught. He says this is a city-wide phenomenon.
In peak hour traffic this intersection causes motorists a headache when the traffic lights are not working.
JRA could not be reached for comment.
