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3 weeks ago
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Traffic on the M1 highway in Johannesburg.
Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images
- Motorists in Johannesburg can expect major road closures as the G20 Summit enters its final day on Sunday.
- The combination of slippery roads, poor visibility, and heavy G20 congestion significantly increases the risk of accidents.
- The Border Management Authority said it was also gearing up for the coordinated departure of heads of state, senior officials, and international delegations.
Johannesburg motorists can expect major road closures on Sunday as the G20 Summit enters its final day and global leaders begin leaving the country.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) began rolling out road closures and warned motorists that highways and main arterials will be completely closed intermittently to allow convoys to pass.
“This causes sudden, standstill traffic for 30-60 minutes at a time,” the JMPD warned.
The most critical times for these closures today are between 15:00 and 20:00 on Sunday.
The following roads will be closed:
- Nasrec Precinct (summit venue):
- Nasrec Road: Closed between Rand Show Road and Shaft 17 Road.
- Rand Show Road: Northern portion closed between the N1 and Nasrec Road.
- Golden Highway: Closed between Rand Show Road and Soweto Highway.
- Booysens Reserve Road: Closed near Crownwood Road.
In the Sandton and Rosebank areas, disruptions are expected on Grayston Drive, Rivonia Road, Maude Street, Oxford Road, and Jan Smuts Avenue as dignitaries move between their accommodations.
Motorists are advised to avoid the highways (N1, M1, N12, R21, R24) if possible, and they can use alternatives such as:
- Roodepoort: Use Beyers Naudé Drive, Christiaan De Wet, or Ontdekkers Roads.
- Sandton/North: Use smaller side streets parallel to Rivonia/Oxford (though these will still be busy).
- South: Use Chris Hani Road, Main Reef Road, or Soweto Highway (where open) to bypass the Nasrec lockdown.
The SA Weather Services have also issued warnings for severe thunderstorms in the Gauteng region on Sunday.
The combination of slippery roads, poor visibility, and heavy G20 congestion significantly increases the risk of accidents.
“We urge drivers to maintain a safe following distance and keep their headlights on at all times,” the JMPD added.
READ | As G20 rolls in, Gauteng roads are rolled out: Weekend drivers warned to brace for detours
Meanwhile, the Border Management Authority said it was also gearing up for the coordinated departure of heads of state, senior officials, and international delegations.
“BMA officials across all key operational areas are working around the clock to manage the exit leg of the summit. This includes ongoing liaison with foreign mission desks to obtain up-to-date departure schedules, identify any special facilitation requests, and ensure synchronised coordination among specialised BMA functions responsible for executive processing, security screening, and immigration management,” BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said.
