14 July 2025 | Johannesburg Roads Agency Offices
Johannesburg’s traffic signal failures have long been a source of frustration for residents, businesses, and emergency services alike. From peak-hour gridlock to delayed medical response times, the consequences of unreliable infrastructure are felt daily across the city. On 14 July 2025, leadership from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT), and the City of Johannesburg came together for a high-level Traffic Signal Media Briefing. Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) attended the session to hear how officials plan to restore functionality, accountability, and public trust.
A City Under Pressure
While load shedding has worsened the problem in recent years, it is far from the only issue. Theft, vandalism, and outdated infrastructure have pushed traffic systems beyond capacity. Road users report repeated detours, damaged vehicles, and near-collisions at intersections where signals have failed. The media briefing was a response to these growing concerns and a moment for city leaders to acknowledge the scale of the crisis.
JRA: “You Hold Us Accountable”
Opening the session, Sipho Nhlapo, Head of Department at JRA, provided a technical overview of the challenges. He noted that JRA manages over 3.6 million components across the traffic light network. Despite repeated sabotage, 84% of signals are functional — a figure that exceeds the international standard of 80%. However, he admitted the goal of 100% uptime is unrealistic given the 41% of infrastructure affected during load shedding, cable theft, and the extreme cost of repairs (ranging from R500,000 to R1.5 million per site). He also indicated that certain data (like vandalism records) would only be shared selectively to avoid tipping off criminal syndicates.
Zweli Nyathi, CEO of JRA, added a leadership perspective, stating plainly: “You hold us accountable.” He elaborated on the widespread issues of theft and vandalism, and acknowledged the need for JRA to deliver its best despite these challenges. Nyathi also expressed appreciation for the agency’s teams working on the ground.
GDRT: A Call for Collaboration
Dr Thulani Mdadane of the GDRT credited the JRA for intervening at 13 key intersections but admitted this fell far short of what the public expects. He called for closer coordination with law enforcement to respond faster and protect repaired infrastructure from being damaged again.
MMC Kenny Kunene: Energy Reform is Critical
MMC Kenny Kunene focused on systemic change, calling for a move away from copper cabling and toward renewable energy solutions, particularly solar-powered traffic signals. He shared insights from a recent visit to China, where traffic infrastructure built from scratch demonstrated how quickly integrated systems can solve complex mobility challenges.
He also addressed scrap metal theft, asserting that many crimes are committed using stolen vehicles. “That’s why we must continue checking license discs and roll out new number plates,” Kunene said. He called for the closure of scrap dealers unable to account for their stock.
MEC Diale-Tlabela: Beyond the Infrastructure
Wrapping up the speeches, MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, reflected on the broader implications of failing infrastructure. She emphasised that traffic signal failure causes massive congestion, hurting productivity and public morale. “We need to move faster,” she said.
Diale-Tlabela proposed a new bill that would treat damaged infrastructure as a third party, allowing government to recover costs from insurance companies when reckless drivers cause public damage. She also called for better regulation of driving schools, the removal of illegal street businesses, and the criminalisation of unregulated scrapyards.
She noted that pedestrian deaths remain high and disproportionately affect depressed black males, pointing to deeper social issues beyond poor infrastructure. The department is working with community safety stakeholders to address this intersection between mobility, health, and inequality.
Media Questions: Accountability in Focus
Journalists pressed officials with specific concerns:
Officials responded that law enforcement has a broader purpose, especially when it comes to tracking stolen vehicles. Still, concerns about accountability and focus were acknowledged.
Smart Technology: Data-Driven Signals
A new generation of traffic signals is being introduced, featuring built-in AI-enabled cameras. These systems will collect data over a 14-day period, learning from real-time traffic volumes and peak-hour patterns. Once analysed, the signals will automatically adjust timing and flow based on traffic behaviour, reducing congestion and improving overall responsiveness.
This smart infrastructure approach marks a shift toward adaptive, data-informed mobility — one that moves Johannesburg closer to global best practices.
What’s Next?
The briefing ended with a shared message: Accountability must be matched by action. SLA agreements are being implemented, energy solutions are under review, and collaboration across sectors is essential. Leaders committed to greater transparency and invited the public to report issues like potholes and outages.
“We want the public to keep holding us accountable. That’s the only way forward,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
As Johannesburg attempts to rebuild faith in its transport infrastructure, the success of these efforts will rely not just on technology and funding, but on political will, cross-sector collaboration, and the trust of every road user in the city.
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