Emfuleni municipality rebuffs claims of traffic department collapse amid equipment removal scandal

The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has strongly denied allegations that its traffic department has collapsed, following reports that a service provider allegedly removed vital traffic control equipment and data. 

The municipality has labelled the claims as exaggerated and misleading, assuring residents that traffic operations are still functional.

This comes after the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) raised concerns that the absence of functioning traffic control systems could result in a spike in traffic violations and lawlessness on the roads.

The party claims the department lost access to all fine records from 2021 to 16 July 2025 after critical equipment was removed.

“The removed equipment includes speed cameras and cameras used to record motor vehicle accidents. The service provider removed its equipment before the end of its contract, because the Municipality failed to pay. A new system was implemented on 16 July this year.”

The ELM has firmly rejected claims that its traffic department has collapsed due to the removal of equipment by a service provider. The municipality criticised political parties for spreading misinformation through the media without offering them a chance to respond.

“We reject the slandering of the municipality by political parties seeking cheap political points, especially when we were not given the right of reply.” 

Emfuleni Municipality Communications Manager Makhosonke Sangweni explained that the removal of traffic equipment was due to the expiry of the previous service provider's three-year contract, and the withdrawal formed part of standard procedure at the end of such agreements.

Sangweni stated that a new service provider has been formally appointed to take over operations, with several key steps already underway. These include staff recruitment, installation of necessary hardware and software, and training on the new system.

He added that data capturing began on July 15, with 4 524 new cases successfully recorded, and the latest electronic equipment was expected to arrive by August 6.

“A total of 70 hand-held electronic devices for law enforcement are expected to be delivered on August 6, with officer training scheduled for the same day,” he said.

Additionally, vehicles and mobile cameras have been provided, enabling Traffic Officers to resume speed enforcement from 16 July. 

Sangweni emphasised that the Municipality firmly rejects claims suggesting a collapse in traffic control due to equipment issues. He clarified that speed law enforcement remains active and ongoing, despite the transition between service providers.

“Enforcement for speed prosecutions is still taking place while traffic officers continue to write summonses for offences related to the violation of the National Road Traffic Act,” he added. 

The embattled municipality faced yet another setback last week when, on August 30, employees and residents were left stunned after arriving at the Vanderbijlpark municipal offices only to find the premises locked, allegedly due to unpaid rent.

The unexpected closure left many residents frustrated and uncertain about how to access basic municipal services, including making payments and handling queries.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it has written to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), urging it to intervene and compel the ELM to get back on track. 

The party questioned why the municipality continues to rent office space when it already owns properties, and said it would request CoGTA to investigate this practice and ensure the municipality makes use of its existing assets.

DA’s Kingsol Chabalala slammed the municipality for poor planning, saying the office closure over unpaid rent is disgraceful, especially while money is still being spent on overtime.

He added that the closure reflects the municipality’s misplaced priorities and ongoing failure to deliver services, saying the current administration has let Emfuleni residents down.

“They don’t prioritise the needs of the residents, it’s all about what they can benefit, which they have achieved by bringing this municipality to its knees.”

The municipality has been unable to access its bank account for the past two months after Rand Water attached it over an outstanding debt of R1.7 billion, a long-standing issue that continues to cripple operations.

Although the municipal offices reopened on July 31, Sangweni accused Rand Water of acting in bad faith. 

He said the municipality has a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in place to address water and sanitation service delivery and manage debt. 

Sangweni added that Rand Water’s actions appear nefarious, especially as Emfuleni is in the process of establishing a 30-year partnership aimed at improving service delivery.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za