Pretoria – The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, has condemned the theft of cables at both sets of traffic lights along the Dr Abu Baker Asvat Drive, linking Soweto and Lenasia.
MEC Vadi was responding to a query as to why the traffic lights at the Avalon Cemetery and N12 intersections were not working for several weeks.
The MEC said he had personally conducted a site investigation and was shocked to find that the cables had been cut and all the traffic lights were either stolen or completely vandalised.
“This theft of and damage to our roads infrastructure must be condemned in the strongest terms. This is the work of a criminal syndicate and we call on the community and the police to help our department to arrest these criminals,” he said.
MEC Vadi was also unapologetic in his condemnation of scrap metal dealers, who buy stolen copper cables and metal. “These businesses live off the sweat and blood of our people. It’s disgraceful.”
Meanwhile, the MEC reported that the earlier case against four suspects who allegedly stole paving bricks along Dr Abu Baker Asvat Drive last year had been postponed in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court for further investigation.
He urged the Lenasia police to complete the investigation as soon as possible so that the perpetrators can be convicted if found guilty.
“We must send a clear signal to criminals that this community will not tolerate the destruction of public assets and facilities,” he said.
The department also confirmed that the N12 freeway, from the notorious “death bend” near Eldorado Park up to the North West boundary, will be upgraded over the next 36 months. - SAnews.gov.za
