JMPD announces Sandton road closures ahead of Johannesburg Pride
Thousands of participants prepare to march through the financial district as traffic officers outline diversions and parking plans.
Motorists travelling through Sandton this weekend are advised to plan ahead as the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) prepares road closures and traffic diversions for Johannesburg Pride 2026.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that several roads and intersections in the Sandton central business district (CBD) will be affected during the annual LGBTQ+ event and awareness campaign.
Read more: Sandton City bursts into colour as Johannesburg Pride 2025 takes over the streets
He said approximately 20 000 participants are expected to attend the event, with the main programme taking place on October 31.
Fihla said JMPD officers will be deployed to regulate traffic, assist motorists at key intersections and facilitate vehicle movement on surrounding routes.
“Motorists and members of the public are urged to plan their routes accordingly, exercise caution and use alternative routes where possible.”
Road closures and restrictions
Motorists should take note of the following closures and traffic restrictions:
Katherine Street: The section between West Street and Rivonia Road will be fully closed from 04:00 on October 31 until 06:00 on November 1.
Katherine Street lane restrictions: Lane closures between West Street and Rivonia Road will be in place on October 30 from 10:00 to 19:00 to allow for event preparations.
Affected intersections: Full closures and JMPD point duty will affect Rivonia Road and Katherine Street, Rivonia Road and Pybus Street, Rivonia Road and Fifth Street, Rivonia Road and Johan Avenue, and Katherine Street and West Street.
Also read: Motorists warned of Sandton road closures for Johannesburg Pride this weekend
The awareness walk and march is scheduled for October 31 from 14:00 to 17:00. Temporary rolling road closures and escorted traffic control will be implemented as participants move through the Sandton CBD.
The route will start at the intersection of Katherine Street and West Street, before proceeding as follows:
Turn left into West Street.
Turn right into Rivonia Road.
Turn left into Maude Street.
Turn left into Fifth Street and return to Katherine Street.
The intersections of Rivonia Road and West Street, Rivonia Road and Maude Street, Maude Street and West Street, and Maude Street and Fifth Street will be subject to controlled traffic management during the walk.
Fihla urged motorists to remain alert and follow directions from deployed officers as traffic conditions change throughout the event.
Parking and event arrangements
Visitors attending Johannesburg Pride are advised to use the designated parking facilities at Nelson Mandela Square.
The event build-up is scheduled for October 30 from 10:00 until midnight, while the main event will take place on October 31 from 10:00 until midnight. Breakdown and clean-up operations are scheduled for November 1 from 01:00 to 08:00.
Fihla encouraged motorists to allow extra travel time, avoid affected roads where possible and follow JMPD instructions to minimise delays during the celebrations.
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