Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
21 January 2023 / 18:21 pm CAT

South African motorists have become used to homeless people jumping into direct traffic at intersections during loadshedding. On social media, many motorists have shared videos of these unofficial pointsmen at various intersections. The Johannesburg metro police department, or JMPD, has warned against civilians directing traffic, and officers have been deployed to remove them.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, JMPD’s spokesperson Xolani Fihla said it is mostly found that these unauthorized people are controlling traffic outside of the peak hour periods. Officers been tasked to ensure hotspots and areas where complaints have been received following the removal of the unauthorized people.

Meanwhile, the JMPD does not have enough manpower to assist with every interaction within the City of Johannesburg.

According to Mabuza, there are attempts to prioritize the main arterials and heavy conjectured routes.

“A Directive was issued that officers must be taking up point duties outside peak our duties in order to monitor,” he added.

However, load shedding has not been the only challenge disrupting the working of traffic lights, but includes vandalism from violent protests and cable theft.

Listen to the interview below with presenter ML Junaid Kharsany and guest Xolani Fihla on Radio Islam’s podcast.