IT seems nyaope addicts are now targeting traffic lights.
They’re allegedly removing the light bulbs, crushing what’s inside and mixing it with other nyaope ingredients to smoke.
And this fix apparently makes them much higher.
The robots on Welgedaght Road, which directs motorists in or out of Payneville in Springs, were targeted.
Nyaope addicts allegedly took advantage of the robots after a power outage in the area, which lasted five days.
Residents said three men who are known nyaope addicts were seen tampering with the robots soon after 6pm.
“They often remove the lighting apparatus to open. We hear there is something they want inside the bulb, which they crush and mix with nyaope ingredients to smoke,” said Justice Motsumi from Everest, Springs.
A motorist said: “Nyaope addicts smoke just about anything and it is annoying that they now smoke our robots.”
Electricity has been out in most parts of Springs since the main substation exploded on 20 May.
“It returned in some areas, but other areas still don’t have power,” said resident Thulani Skosana.
Daily Sun saw that light bulbs had been removed from traffic lights and the robots were hollow.
Motorists are worried there would be chaos should the authorities remove the robots. “This is the busy road. We cannot afford to be without robots,” said another motorist.
“We see many streets robots removed, but we appeal to those responsible for traffic lights not to remove them. This road is very busy. It’s a pity that people who temper with robots don’t always think about motorists and pedestrians.”
Ekurhuleni spokesman Zweli Dlamini said vandalism of robots was rife in Ekurhuleni and anyone who has information about the perpetrators should report it to the police.
