Vandalised traffic lights create red-hot rage in Gauteng

It’s not red tape holding back Joburg’s progress. It’s the seemingly omnipresent lack of red lights (or green or amber ones). Nonfunctioning traffic lights and other failing infrastructure are continuing to create havoc in Gauteng, with commuters, visitors and businesses all falling prey to the resultant frustration and hours of lost productivity. 3Cube Property Solutions takes a closer look at the issue, its root cause and its impacts.

Impact on traffic flows and commuters

In June 2025, the IOL News team did a site visit to determine how bad the Joburg traffic lights problem really is. They found a classic example in Cosmo City, where no fewer than 12 traffic lights weren’t working at the intersection of Malibongwe Drive and South Africa Drive.

Fourways is another classic example. If your commute takes you along Winnie Mandela Drive, you’ll know to expect to be met with chaos at the intersection with the N1 Western Bypass. Similarly, whichever way you turn after making it through this intersection, you’re met with more chaos, either at the intersection of Sloane Street or Leslie Avenue. And if you’re a regular Joburg commuter, you’ll know that that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

These intersections are often manned by informal “pointsmen”, directing traffic between pauses to ask motorists for a few rand in exchange for their services. This activity begs the question: who should a motorist obey at such an intersection? You’re faced with a choice of adhering to the instructions of an unqualified “officer” or attempting to follow South African law, which states that a non-functioning traffic light should be treated as a four-way stop. The unfortunate reality is that motorists need to be guided by common sense, rather than legislation, in the mayhem that has been created.

Another layer of complication is likely to arise in the event of an accident. Insurance companies may balk at paying out in a situation where witnesses attest to a driver not following the four-way-stop rule. However, the decision to do so was likely made in an effort to mitigate disaster, rather than out of any kind of recklessness.

Vandalism at the root of the problem

Broken and vandalised traffic lights (not to mention potholes) have become an increasingly politicised issue in Gauteng. BusinessLive reports that opposition parties are demanding more transparency on how the matter is being dealt with – and rightfully so.

As far back as 2023, TimesLive was reporting an ‘alarming increase’ in cable theft and vandalism of traffic lights across Joburg. This vandalism is nothing new, with the 2023 article reporting that over the four years prior, 531 of the city’s 2028 signalised traffic intersections had been vandalised. Loadshedding was used as a cover to steel copper wire at intersections without fear of electrocution. The stolen cables are then sold to illegal scrap metal dealers for next to nothing.

In an interview with Primedia Plus earlier in 2025, Gauteng MEC for Road and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, adds that streetlights are being increasingly targeted by vandals as well.

It seems that despite the questionable efforts of authorities, the extent of the vandalism should not be underestimated. In a Daily Maverick report, Johannesburg Roads Agency head of mobility, Sipho Nhlapo, cites the example of one intersection which had been vandalised no less than 14 times. In this case, the city ultimately replaced the beleaguered traffic light with stop signs.

 A crisis created (at least in part) by syndicates

Diale-Tlabela also shared that her department is working closely with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to book. It is widely believed that a criminal syndicate is being the thefts.

In addition, Diale-Tlabela assured PriMedia Plus that her department is working closely with law enforcement and exploring technologies such as surveillance cameras and other security measures to protect critical infrastructure. She further acknowledges that regulating the scrap metal sector is vital to thwarting the scourge of copper theft.

Does the upcoming G20 summit provide hope for improvement?

Optimistic Joburg residents are hopeful that the upcoming G20 summit will lead to improvements. After all, surely the powers that be don’t want international dignitaries to see such prominent evidence of the city’s decline? According to the aforementioned Daily Maverick article, published in June, city officials claim that the following measures will be put into place: 

·         More modern traffic lights that create better traffic flows

·         A proactive maintenance plan

·         Businesses adopting traffic lights through service-level agreements

·         Underground safety chambers to protect theft and vandalism

·         Cables with reduced copper content

·         Alarms and cameras at intersections

The Daily Maverick mentioned that their team will provide an update to their report ahead of the G20 summit. With the summit due to be held on 22 and 23 November 2025, locals are voicing their scepticism as to whether any meaningful improvements will have been put in place by then.

While Johannesburg is certainly not without its problems, it is still the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy. The 3Cube Property Solutions team has spent years helping businesses in Gauteng thrive – often under adverse conditions. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss finding premises that can help your business grow despite factors beyond its control.