Industry insights
Repeat signal theft: protect the cable route, not just the signal
Source: Rekord (Caxton Local Media) · originally published
Where the same intersection is hit again and again, the signal head is rarely the real weak point; the exposed cable route is.
What was reported
Rekord reported in August 2026 that Tshwane confirmed seven signal sites in Pretoria North were vandalised or hit by cable theft in three months, including The Poort intersection, where stolen cables left the signals flashing red.
What we think matters
- Harden the route. Concrete encasement, protected joints and fewer exposed runs make theft harder.
- Prioritise repeat sites. Tracking incidents by location shows where protection pays back fastest.
- Restore quickly. Spares on hand and clear repair procedures shorten outages.
Preventing the second failure is usually cheaper than repairing the third.
Referenced report: Rekord (Caxton Local Media). This article is TraffiTek’s own commentary; please read the original report for full detail.