Motorists across Gauteng are urged to prepare for significant traffic disruptions as law enforcement agencies roll out co-ordinated security operations for the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit on Saturday and Sunday.

Kempton Express reports that the Road Traffic Management Corporation, Gauteng traffic police, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni metro police departments and SAPS announced that extensive rolling road closures, lane restrictions and intermittent delays will be implemented across major highways and city routes.

The operation will affect all three metropolitan municipalities: Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

High-impact routes to be affected

Security operations will focus on national highways and high-volume urban corridors. Motorists should expect intermittent closures on major strategic routes, including:

National and regional routes

N1: From Atterbury through Garsfontein, Delmas, Flying Saucer, Botha, John Vorster, Brakfontein, Samrand, Olifantsfontein, New Road, Allandale, Buccleuch, Winnie Mandela, Rivonia, 14th, Gordon, Maraisburg and N17/Rand Show.

N3: North and south flyovers

N12: Including Elands, Voortrekker, Reading, Comaro, Kliprivier, Xavier, Uncle Charlie and Diepkloof

R21: Including the Atlas and Voortrekker off-ramps

R24/N12: Junction heading west towards Johannesburg

M1: Woodmead through Marlboro, Grayston, Corlett, Atholl Oaklands, Glenhove, 11th Avenue, Oxford, St Andrew, Jan Smuts, Empire, Smit, Carr, Crown, Booysens, Xavier and Golden Highway

Residents travelling to OR Tambo International Airport, Pretoria, Johannesburg or surrounding areas are advised to anticipate delays, particularly on the R21, R24 and N12 interchange zones.

Urban route disruptions

• Sandton: 5th Street, Maude Street, Daisy Street, Rivonia Road, Grayston Drive and Katherine Street.
• Melrose Arch: Whiteley Road, Melrose Boulevard and Atholl Oaklands Road.
• Rosebank, Westcliff, Parkview: Oxford Road, Glenhove Road and Jan Smuts Avenue.
• Fourways: Winnie Mandela Drive.
• Roodepoort: Hendrick Potgieter Road.
• Nasrec: Rand Show Road, Booysens Reserve Road, Nasrec Road and Golden Highway.

Full closures and restricted access

Several areas will experience full road closures:

• Grayston Drive: Full closure on Saturday from 04:00 to 10:00.
• Golden Highway: Fully closed between Rand Show Road and Soweto Highway from today.
• Nasrec Road: Closed between Rand Show and Shaft 17 Road on Saturday and Sunday, with limited access from the N17 traffic circle.
• Rand Show Road: Northern portion closed between the N1 and Nasrec Road on Saturday and Sunday.
• Booysens Reserve Road: Closed between Crownwood Road and surrounding intersections, with limited access.

In some areas, the southern portion of Nasrec Road will be converted into a dual carriageway to accommodate residents travelling to and from Ormonde View.

Major roads affected in and around Tshwane: 

• N1 Highway – Pretoria East & Centurion sections
• All major interchanges between Midrand and Pretoria East/Centurion will experience rolling closures:
• Atterbury Road interchange
• Garsfontein Road interchange
• Delmas Road (Rigel Avenue) interchange
• Botha Avenue interchange
• John Vorster Drive interchange
• Brakfontein interchange
• Samrand interchange (affects Pretoria-bound traffic)

N1 through Pretoria

While the highway will not be permanently closed, motorists must expect full temporary shutdowns when convoys pass.

• Affected flow: Delays between Brakfontein ↔ Garsfontein ↔ Atterbury.

R21 Freeway – Pretoria to OR Tambo International Airport

This is Pretoria’s most heavily affected route for those travelling south:

• R21 entire corridor from Pretoria to Kempton Park.
• R21 approach to OR Tambo (Ekurhuleni section):
  • Atlas Road off-ramp
  • Voortrekker Road off-ramp

Convoy movement delays

Authorities warn that when official convoys move through, roads will be temporarily sealed off. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will not be permitted to cross or enter these zones until the convoy passes.

Reopening will follow immediately after, but delays of 30 minutes to one hour can be expected. Motorists can expect these specific delays from Saturday to Sunday, between 07:30 to 10:00.

Recommended alternative routes

Motorists are advised to use alternative corridors to minimise delays:

• Kempton Park / Ekurhuleni – Tshwane: Use the M57 instead of the R21.
• East–west travel: Use smaller regional routes through Germiston, Kempton Park or Bedfordview instead of the R24/N12.
• Roodepoort: Use Beyers Naudé Drive, Christiaan De Wet Road or Ontdekkers Road.
• Fourways: Main Road, Cedar Road and Witkoppen Road.
• Sandton / Rosebank / Parktown: Use parallel side streets such as Corlett Drive, Sandton Drive or 11th Avenue.
• Southern Johannesburg, Riverlea, Nasrec, Ormonde View: Use Chris Hani Road, Main Reef Road, Crownwood Road (Fordsburg–Crown Mines), Soweto Highway, N17, Aerodrome Road and Adcock Ingram Road.

The measures are necessary to ensure public safety and manage congestion during the high-security summit. Clear signage, traffic officers and real-time updates will be in place. Emergency and essential services will receive priority access. Motorists are encouraged to plan their journeys early, allow for additional travel time and avoid high-security routes wherever possible.

Natjoints enforces lockdown zones

Pretoria Rekord reports that the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) announced a strict hard lockdown around the Nasrec Expo Centre and FNB Stadium — effective from Friday to Monday.

The deputy national commissioner for policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said only people with valid G20 accreditation would be allowed near the restricted zone.

“All vehicles in this vicinity will be inspected thoroughly before being allowed entry. Access will be limited and closely monitored between Friday and Monday,” Mosikili warned.

A no-fly zone will also be enforced over Nasrec, banning all manned aircraft and drones.

South Africa hosts first G20 Summit in Africa

As the current president of the G20, South Africa will host the 20th meeting of the G20 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, on November 22 and 23.

This marks the first G20 Summit on African soil. It is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities for the South African economy. The summit will attract world leaders, investors, global stakeholders and international media, offering South Africa an opportunity to showcase its economic potential, innovation and leadership.

Nationwide shutdown to highlight GBVF crisis

South Africans are also preparing a nationwide standstill on Friday to highlight the urgent call for gender-based violence and femicide to be declared a national disaster. Read more about it here.

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