KEY POINTS
- 194 traffic intersections vandalized in Johannesburg, with copper theft and power outages crippling repairs.
- 46% of the city’s water supply is lost due to leaks and illegal connections, prompting crackdowns and smart infrastructure upgrades.
- Heavy rains worsen pothole damage, while the JRA prioritizes repairs on major roads amid budget constraints.
Johannesburg is grappling with a severe infrastructure crisis, with 194 traffic intersections vandalized and widespread water leaks plaguing the city.
Mayor Dada Morero addressed these challenges in a public update on Wednesday, outlining plans to repair critical infrastructure while condemning rampant vandalism and illegal water connections.
The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) manages 2,023 signalized intersections, but 194 have been vandalized, while an additional 60 provincial intersections require complete reconstruction. “The city faces significant challenges in maintaining these intersections due to vandalism and theft,” said Morero.
Copper theft has further complicated efforts to restore power to traffic lights, with 99 intersections affected by electricity outages—50 due to City Power issues and 49 from Eskom failures.
According to TheCitizen, the JRA has prioritized repairs along major economic corridors, including Malibongwe, Witkoppen, and Hendrick Potgieter roads.
So far, 35 critical intersections have been fixed, with 17 more provincial repairs expected by month’s end. However, budget constraints mean full restoration will take time.
Leaks and illegal connections drain resources
Morero confirmed that Johannesburg’s water shortages are not due to supply shortages but rather infrastructure decay. “About 46% of the water provided to the city is lost through leaks and illegal connections,” he said, citing a 2024 Department of Water and Sanitation report.
To combat the issue, Joburg Water has installed 125 leak-detection noise loggers in Randburg and Roodepoort, with plans for 400 more by June. Additionally, 27 smart pressure-reducing valves have been deployed to manage distribution.
Despite these measures, illegal connections remain a major problem, prompting the city to intensify disconnections.
Recent downpours have exacerbated Johannesburg’s pothole crisis, delaying repairs. The city has ramped up in-house asphalt production to accelerate fixes, but Morero acknowledged that persistent vandalism and budget limitations hinder progress
