JMPD discourages motorists from giving money to homeless to direct traffic

There has been a lot of vandalism at traffic lights in Johannesburg, and due to heavy rains, most of the traffic lights are either not functioning or malfunctioning. 

READ: Tshwane, Joburg emergency services on high alert amid persistent rain

Additionally, load-shedding and rotational blackouts have caused traffic lights to stop working, resulting in heavy traffic congestion during the morning and afternoon rush hours. 

In an effort to relieve traffic congestion during peak hours, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Acting Chief of Police Thulani Khanyile has ordered all Metro Police Officers to take up station duty between 06h00 - 09h00 in the morning and 15h00 - 18h00 in the afternoon. 

READ: SA at the risk of stage 6 load shedding, warns Eskom

JMPD officers have various responsibilities ranging from Crime Prevention, By-laws Enforcement, attending to protests, life-threatening and non-life-threatening emergencies within the city. 

Since police officers can not be at every corner and intersection, Traffic Free Flow sponsored by Outsurance will prioritise heavily congested and major routes. 

READ: JMPD officers to ease traffic congestion as load shedding, rain take toll on motorists

As a result of numerous complaints about homeless people controlling traffic, officers have also been tasked with monitoring areas and intersections outside of peak hours. 

The JMPD has warned motorists to rather not give homeless people money to direct traffic, as it encourages them to continue and even go as far as tampering with traffic lights in order to make money. The homeless are further at risk of being run over by cars due to this situation, they note. 

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