G20 or coincidence? Fourways questions crackdowns and what it all means for ordinary South Africans
Whether it's clean streets, law-enforcement blitzes, or thousands of trees being planted, Fourways communities are sceptical, with many believing the G20 is behind it all, despite repeated City denials.
As Johannesburg hosts the G20, a familiar debate resurfaced on the streets, and in online community groups: Is every clean-up, road closure, or law-enforcement action suddenly because of the summit?
For some residents, the timing looks suspicious. For others, the global event is an overdue catalyst for order. For many, especially informal traders, the explanations aren’t convincing.
“What do ordinary South Africans actually get from the G20?” asked Fourways comedian and content creator Vije Vijendranath.
Read more: Two Unity College students step into the spotlight at G20 Children20 declaration
He summed up the broader public sentiment in a way only comedians can, with humour that lands uncomfortably close to the truth. “All I know is they’re closing off all the roads. They’re making it very private.
The Johannesburg CBD’s becoming very clean, because they want to give a good impression. I wonder what the benefit is for ordinary South Africans?”
His questions echo the frustration of many who’ve watched the expensive logistical effort unfold, the improved roads, the sudden clean-ups, the intense police presence, perks residents wished existed long before global leaders arrived.
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Fourways comedian Vije Vijendranath weighs in on what the G20 really means for ordinary South Africans. Video: Ditiro Masuku. #Fourways #G20 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Yet Vijendranath also hopes the summit leaves positives behind, such as improved diplomacy, better deals, stronger international relationships, and, ideally, job creation, better governance, and less corruption.
Still, he admits the politics around it, including tensions between South Africa and the United States, cast a long shadow.
For Douglasdale Police Station Commander Brigadier Arikum Veeshani, the G20 did place significant operational pressure on local precincts, but not in the way people assume. “It had an impact on all policing precincts, especially with us having to host some of the [delegates] within our hotels.”
Also read: JMPD warns Johannesburg motorists of major road closures this Saturday ahead of G20
However, she adds that the year wasn’t defined solely around the summit. Her station’s focus remained on local community safety, social crime projects, youth initiatives, and partnerships with other law-enforcement entities.
While officials insist operations are part of routine enforcement, informal trader Blessing Mlambo sees it differently.
His goods were confiscated by Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), along Winnie Mandela Drive, and, in his mind, it was because of G20 clean-ups. “Usually, they are accompanied by private security, but now it was only them. But what can we say? Because even when we told them about the petition we have, nobody understood.”
Mlambo said he had hoped the summit would help business, bringing international visitors and local foot traffic. Instead, the crackdown left him stressed, without income, and unsure when he could legally trade again.
Responding to the accusations, Xolani Fihla, from the JMPD, said the enforcement had nothing to do with the summit. “Operations were part of routine by-law compliance, specifically on major provincial roads where trading is prohibited. The Winnie Mandela Drive/Fourways Boulevard intersection was an enforcement hotspot long before G20.”
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