The JMPD says motorists should expect significant delays as three approved marches involving thousands of participants are set to take place across the city on June 30.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has warned motorists to brace for major traffic disruptions on June 30, as three approved protests involving nearly 10,000 participants, including March and March protesters, are expected to take place across the city.
The metro police urged motorists, commuters and members of the public to expect significant delays on Tuesday.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said three legally approved marches will take place concurrently in the Johannesburg inner city, Hillbrow and Midrand (Glen Austin) areas.
Fihla said integrated law enforcement teams, including JMPD and SAPS Public Order Policing, will be deployed across the city to monitor routes, manage traffic and maintain public safety.
“Significant traffic disruptions and delays are anticipated between 07:00 and 16:00,” he said.
“Furthermore, integrated law enforcement teams will remain on high alert and will be deployed throughout the city before, during and after June 30.”
He said the proactive deployment is aimed at ensuring public safety, maintaining order and responding swiftly to any spontaneous protests, pickets or gatherings that may arise.
Motorists have been advised to avoid affected streets and use alternative routes where possible.
Fihla said the largest gathering will be a March and March procession, expected to draw about 5,000 participants.
The march will focus on concerns including immigration, inner-city safety, youth development and access to community services. Participants will gather at 08:30, with the march set to begin at 10:00.
It will run from 08:00 to 14:00, with dispersal at 14:00. The assembly point is Beyers Naudé Square, and the march will proceed to Constitution Hill, where a memorandum will be handed over to the Hillbrow station commander at 13:00.
The approved route begins at Beyers Naudé Square on Rahima Moosa Street, heading east on Helen Joseph Street.
It turns left into Troye Street, which becomes Twist Street, continues along Twist Street, then turns left into Kotze Street and right into Queen Street, ending at Constitution Hill for the submission of the memorandum and dispersal.
A second march, organised by the Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO), will raise concerns over illegal immigration policy and engage the Department of Home Affairs.
About 1,200 participants are expected. The gathering will begin at 08:00, with the march starting at 09:00 and ending at 12:00, followed by dispersal.
The assembly point is the intersection of Kotze Street and Hospital Street in Hillbrow near Constitution Hill. The destination is the Department of Home Affairs in Plein Street.
The approved route begins at Kotze Street and Hospital Street, turns right into Klein Street, left into Smith Street, right into Claim Street and continues to Mooi Street.
It then turns right into Rahima Moosa Street, right into Rissik Street and left into Plein Street, ending at the Department of Home Affairs for the submission of a memorandum and dispersal.
A third march, organised by the Mayibuye Youth Activism Movement, will submit a memorandum to the Midrand Industrial Park regarding local youth employment opportunities.
About 800 participants are expected. The gathering will begin at 09:00, with the march starting at 10:00 and ending at 12:00, with dispersal at 13:00.
The assembly point is the open space at Dale Road and Modderfontein Road. The destination is Sandton Plant Hire Offices.
The approved route begins at Dale Road and Modderfontein Road, turns left onto Dale Road and proceeds along Pretoria Main Road.
It then turns left onto Allandale Road, left onto Mastiff Road and continues to Sandton Plant Hire Offices for dispersal.
Fihla issued a safety advisory for motorists.
“Closures and rolling barricades will be implemented along these routes as the processions move,” he said.
“Please exercise extreme patience, follow directions from JMPD and law enforcement officers on the ground, or plan travel outside the inner city during these times.”
Meanwhile, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni has warned that anyone inciting violence or breaking the law during anti-illegal immigration protests on June 30 will be tracked and arrested as police deploy helicopters, drones and more than 33,000 CCTV cameras across the province.
The warning comes as authorities ramp up security ahead of planned demonstrations targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
Mthombeni announced the extensive security measures ahead of planned demonstrations targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJOINTS) briefed the media in Eldorado Park police station on Thursday about its state of readiness for the protests, which are calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
IOL News