Cable theft and traffic signal vandalism in the Durban South area are impacting road safety, forcing the eThekwini Municipality to improvise tamper-proof solutions.
Zimbili Mazibuko, who hosts the eThekwini Matters Podcast, explained that traffic signals are essential for keeping roads safe, reducing congestion, and ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods across eThekwini.
Mazibuko said that when traffic signals are out of order, congestion occurred, accidents happened, and road users became frustrated.
“Yet, the growing problem of vandalism continues to threaten these critical public assets and the services they provide,” she said.
Ashvir Harcharan, senior manager for Installation and Works at eThekwini Transport Authority, said people took traffic signals for granted.
“We only feel their impact when they are defective,” he said.
He said cable theft for its copper and vandalism are happening in all areas, but predominantly in the southern areas, such as South Coast Road (M7), Isipingo, Umlazi, and Amanzimtoti.
He said LED modules were also stolen, but preventative measures, including redesigning traffic signal heads, have made an impact.
Harcharan said there are allegations that people cut the cables on traffic signals to make them defective to direct traffic and then collect money.
“Defective traffic signals cause more accidents. You get frustrated commuters. It’s more unsafe for pedestrians as well, with longer congestion times. Everyone wants to get home quicker,” he said.
Harcharan stated that vandalism impacted budgets, with replacement costs ranging from R10,000 to R500,000, particularly when entire signal systems are vandalised.
“The only components that remain are the traffic poles. We do not just replace items; we have a good in-house team that innovates and implements vandal-resistant measures to prevent it from happening again.”
On South Coast Road, for instance, his team proactively implemented vandal-resistance measures like covering cable tracks with concrete to prevent them from being dug out.
Harcharan’s team is responsible for the installation and maintenance of traffic signals and intelligent transport systems.
“We deal with the modernisation of the equipment and all the infrastructure for traffic signals above ground. We work in conjunction with the urban traffic control branch, which is primarily responsible for signal warrants, signal designs, and timing. So it is a great collaboration between us to get these traffic signals working efficiently.”
Harcharan regarded eThekwini as one of the best-run cities in terms of traffic signals, guaranteeing that, except for load shedding, 99% of traffic signals run 100% of the time.”
“There are very few cities that can say that, but we, as Durban, can proudly state that,” he added.
Advocate Johan Jonck, Arrive Alive road safety expert, said vandalism not only increased road safety risks and the threats of criminal activity at intersections, but also often reduced the ability for all road users to be visible and seen at already dangerous roads and intersections.
