Johannesburg – For some, when the lights go out, opportunity knocks.
In Johannesburg, homeless people have started directing traffic at busy intersections when traffic lights power off during load shedding.
Power cuts are now so pervasive that the city does not have enough traffic officers to cope with directing traffic. This is where the homeless step in, pocketing tiny donations from drivers in exchange for controlling traffic flow.
“Without us being around here, it is causing a couple of accidents,” said Aubrey Ndlovu, 31, of Zimbabwe, whose beat is at an intersection in Bryanston.
“Even the small change people give us helps us get by,” he said.
Johannesburg police spokesman Xolani Fihla admitted that “a large amount of unauthorised people like homeless and vagrant people” were controlling the traffic during power cuts.
They are “doing a commendable job”, he said, but added that the city was not liable for any accidents that might occur under their watch.
“They do help a lot, but they are a risk at the same time,” said motorist Sphelele Mpukwana, who suggested that they be trained in traffic directing.
Not all drivers approve of what they are doing.
Some “swear at us, they are always in a rush”, said Ben Dube, 30.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Pexels
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