AN initiative to improve urban traffic flow in the City of Johannesburg, especially during periods of loadshedding and at malfunctioning traffic signals, the City’s Department of Public Safety has announced the appointment of 200 Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Traffic Points Officials.
The newly appointed Points Officials will start their duties on Monday, 22 January 2024, serving all seven regions of the City of Johannesburg.
This significant launch was led by Mgcini Tshwaku, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, and senior officials of JMPD and Public Safety on Thursday.
This initiative strategically addresses the challenges of loadshedding and ineffective traffic lights, which have been significantly affecting the city’s road networks. The deployment of Traffic Points Officials is a proactive measure aimed at reducing traffic disruptions and enhancing the travel experience for residents and visitors alike.
“We received over 100,000 applications, a reflection of the profound unemployment issues facing our city and country. It broke my heart that we could not take in more applicants due to budget constraints, but we hope to be able to increase the numbers at a later stage,” said MMC Tshwaku.
He appealed to the newly appointed Points Officials to embrace their roles with dedication and integrity.
“As a people-centred and oriented department committed to serving the community, we recognise the public’s concerns about untrained individuals managing traffic. Under the JMPD’s guidance, we assure you that there will be strict oversight and accountability for our Points Officials’ work.
“Our focus is to ensure that traffic control in the city is in the hands of trained, authorized professionals from this point forward,” he added, underscoring the department’s commitment to ethical and responsible traffic management.
The recruitment process of the Points Officials was exceptionally stringent in ensuring transparency and integrity in the selection processes. Notably, among those selected were individuals who had previously taken the initiative to manage traffic at various intersections, albeit without official training. Comprehensive criminal background and fit-for-purpose screenings were thoroughly conducted.
The MMC stressed the importance of ethical conduct and dedication among the new recruits, expressing confidence in their significant contribution to the city’s traffic management, under the diligent oversight of JMPD’s regional leadership.
Image (MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, has launched 200 JMPD Point Officials to hit the streets of Jozi).
