Pretoria’s traffic nightmare

Motorists were stuck for hours in traffic on Tuesday morning due to various road closures to accommodate Nelson Mandela’s memorial services to be held in the capital and the viewing of his body at the Union Buildings.

Thousands of mourners flocked to Pretoria on Tuesday and the increased population in the city is set to disrupt motorists and residents throughout the national week of mourning.

Traffic was also brought to a standstill in Gordon Street when the Tshwane metro police escorted a blue light brigade to designated areas. Motorists can expect many more delays as various officials will be escorted to and from Madiba’s memorial services and to and from his remains, which will lie in state at the amphitheatre at the Union Buildings from Wednesday to Friday.

Construction on the Bus Rapid Transport system was also halted to create a memorial route on which Madiba’s procession will travel from the 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings for the rest of the week.

Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said in a report that the roads that were temporarily closed were due to reopen on Tuesday. These roads included Madiba Street from Paul Kruger to Lilian Ngoyi streets, Thabo Shume Street from Johannes Ramaokhoase to Pretorius streets, and Pretorius Street from Lilian Ngoyi to Paul Kruger streets.

Alternative routes include Paul Kruger Street through Church Square (south) and Visagie (west) or Johannes Ramokhoase (west) streets. He said in the report that the city would be hosting a delegation from the Gauteng provincial government in the city hall from Wednesday, which would include delegates from municipalities across the province.

Elize du Plessis, a public transport commuter, said that it was chaos getting home on Monday afternoon. She said she arrived home well after 18:30 due to the deplorable traffic conditions. “There were no Metro busses and after waiting for hours, I finally had to make use of a minibus taxi.”

The chaos caused by traffic in the CBD area and Arcadia will intensify from Wednesday to Friday when Madiba’s body lies in state at the Union Buildings.

Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, spokesperson for the metro police, confirmed on Tuesday that all of the streets that were closed on Monday are now fully functional. He warned motorists to avoid all streets surrounding the Union Buildings from Wednesday to Friday.

“If mourners would like to visit the Union Buildings, it would be best to use our park-and-ride facilities at the show grounds. Various busses will then transport mourners form the show grounds to the Union Buildings,” Mahamba said.