Red Lights — As ANC/Eff Coalition Run Out Of Money To Repair Traffic Lights

by Cllr Simon Lapping — DA Spokesperson for water, energy and sanitation in Ekurhuleni

Date: 15 February 2024

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

The Democratic Alliance is outraged that there is no more money to repair faulty traffic lights within the City of Ekurhuleni — this was revealed in a reply to a DA question.

According to the reply, the Department of Roads requested a budget of R59,552,034 million but was only awarded R30,271,225 leaving a shortfall of R29,280,809 million or a 49% shortage.

Given the severity of the shortfall, the Department stated “Based on this trend a major shortfall will be experienced and will the available funding only be able to fund the function by the middle of January 2024.”

This means the Department has run out of money to repair the 1092 traffic light intersections across the Metro.

This grave situation will place residents’ lives at risk and the DA is demanding that funds be diverted from luxuries, such as food for Councilors, and allocated as a matter of urgency to essential services such as the repairing of traffic lights.

The failing coalition should take a page out of the DA’s governance book and establish public private partnerships to keep the lights on.

It is unacceptable that the ANC/EFF coalition thinks this is service delivery and an example of what a “people’s government” is.

Cllr Simon Lapping

DA Spokesperson for water, energy and sanitation in Ekurhuleni

078 350 5063