Metro police have warned motorists not to help civilians directing site visitors throughout load shedding.
On the nook of January Masilela Drive and Muriel Street in Pretoria, John Langa and Sipho Nkosi began doing “point duty” as a result of the site visitors lights have been not working on account of load shedding on Tuesday afternoon.
“Hurry, hurry,” they shouted, and whistled as they directed the automobiles over the intersection.
Most motorists appeared grateful and tipped them or hooted as they drove previous.
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One motorist shouted at Nkosi concerning the Tshwane metro police division’s (TMPD) request.
“I come from Mpumalanga, but now I live on the street,” Nkosi mentioned, including he was wanting for a job.
Langa was a avenue vendor, making and promoting wood fences and containers.
“Look,” he mentioned, “there is my stock. But now we have to help with the traffic, otherwise … can you imagine?”
The duo rapidly moved to a busier intersection a block away after discovering the site visitors gentle there was additionally out.
TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba mentioned he was conscious that civilians tried to control site visitors at busy intersections.
“We are involved about this behaviour and may point out that it ought to cease instantly.
“Anyone who controls traffic should have undertaken training in this regard and, after completion, must be issued with a compliance certificate,” he mentioned.
Mahamba mentioned these civilians have been not solely posing a hazard to themselves, however to motorists who may have accidents.
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“When you might be skilled, you might be taught the right way to cease automobiles and the gap it’s best to give these motorists to use their brakes.
“For instance, when stopping a truck, you should give more time and space to stop because trucks take a long time to stop. “If you are not trained, you might not be aware of such dynamics,” he mentioned.
Mahamba mentioned motorists ought to use the intersections as four-way stops.
“Although we appreciate the partnership with communities, we advise them not to control traffic, but report faulty lights and those that are out of order to authorities,” he mentioned.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla mentioned officers had been issued with a directive from appearing chief of police Thulani Maxwell Khanyile to take up level duty throughout peak hours – between 6am and 9am and 3pm and 6pm – to alleviate site visitors congestion.
Fihla mentioned JMPD officers had varied tasks, starting from crime prevention, by-laws enforcement, attending to protests and life-threatening and non-life-threatening emergencies inside the metropolis.
“Officers cannot be at every corner and intersection, so with the assistance of Traffic FreeFlow, sponsored by OUTsurance, main arterials, heavily congested and major routes are prioritised,” he mentioned.
Fihla mentioned officers had been monitoring areas and intersections exterior peak hours after receiving complaints about unauthorised folks controlling site visitors.
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“The problem with unauthorised folks controlling site visitors is, ought to an accident occur, the town will not be liable for any damages incurred.
“The city will only be liable if traffic is controlled by JMPD officers or authorised officials.”
Fihla discouraged motorists from giving civilians cash as an incentive to control site visitors.
“This encourages them to proceed and go to the extent of tampering with site visitors lights and site visitors lights controller containers to earn cash.
“It further endangers the lives of these individuals as they may be run over by vehicles,” he mentioned.
