The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) on Thursday launched a specialised crime prevention and detection unit, which is part of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), as a “pre-emptive” step to protect its traffic signals and road infrastructure from acts of vandalism and cable theft.

The JMPD’s Infrastructure Protection Unit was tasked with breaking up theft syndicates and apprehending petty thieves and vandals who steal and destroy traffic signals and road infrastructure, such as hand rails, electrical cables, Armco barriers and drainage components.

JRA statistics show that, between 2013 and 2014, it cost the agency about R250-million to replace and repair damaged or stolen infrastructure.

The agency manages 13 500 km of tarred and gravel roads, storm-water drains, bridges, road signs and 2 178 signalled traffic intersections throughout the City of Johannesburg region.

The cost of replacing stolen manhole covers was about R6-million a year.

Department of Transport MMC Christine Walters regarded these criminal acts and vandalism as “economic sabotage”.

JRA MD Dr Sean Phillips said the unit would work closely with the JMPD, the South African Police Service and the criminal justice system to catch vandals and cable thieves, collect evidence and bring guilty parties before a court of law.

The new unit employed 18 staff members and was equipped with ten vehicles.