Gauteng launches ‘Adopt a Robot’ campaign to fight vandalism

More than 100 foot patrollers supported by drones will safeguard traffic lights from theft and vandalism in Johannesburg as part of a new “Adopt a Robot” campaign announced by the Gauteng roads and transport department.

The department launched the initiative this week to address the numerous non-operating traffic lights around Johannesburg. One of the biggest issues was easy access to the traffic control box which is often broken into by criminals to steal equipment, DA ward 94 councillor David Foley recently told TimesLIVE.

At the launch of the “Adopt a Robot” campaign this week, roads and transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the department manages more than 400 traffic signals at intersections and the prevalence of vandalism, theft and power outages had resulted in the malfunction of several traffic signals, giving rise to severe traffic congestion and road accidents.

She said about R30m had been disbursed in the first year of the three-year contract to repair or replace the signals, but the money had “gone down the drain” as cables were stolen a few hours after traffic signals were repaired, by thieves who steal copper cables to sell on the black market.

To fight the problem, the department is establishing a centralised issue management system.

“We are on the cusp of announcing a partnership with various businesses and residential forums/associations aimed at tackling the issue of theft and vandalism. A total of 16 MOUs have been signed,” said Diale-Tlabela.

With the foot patrollers, the department, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, will undertake research on alternative technologies such as drones to prevent theft and vandalism of traffic signals. The department will procure new service providers over a 36-month cycle for repairs, technological upgrades and maintenance of provincial traffic signals, she said.

To minimise dependence on external service providers, the department has identified 203 candidates appointed under the national youth service programme with maths and science qualifications.

“These candidates will undergo training to form the core of an in-house maintenance team dedicated to addressing traffic signal-related issues and it is anticipated that this unit will be operational by the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year.”

Diale-Tlabela asked road users who witness theft or vandalism of traffic signals to report it on 10111.