JMPD warns of major delays as G20 summit wraps up

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed that motorists should expect significant delays on Sunday as the G20 summit enters its final day. High-volume VIP movements are scheduled throughout the day, resulting in rolling closures on highways and major routes.

According to the JMPD, these intermittent closures can bring traffic to a complete standstill for between 30 and 60 minutes at a time. Xolani Fihla, the JMPD spokesperson, said motorists should plan for delays and exercise caution. “Motorists must expect complete intermittent closures on highways and major routes. We urge road users to plan ahead, delay travel where possible, and exercise extreme caution,” he said.

The most affected times are between 07:00 and 10:00 in the morning and again from 15:00 to 20:00. Several confirmed closures remain in place around the Nasrec precinct, where the summit is being hosted.

These include Nasrec Road between Rand Show Road and Shaft 17 Road, the northern portion of Rand Show Road between the N1 and Nasrec Road, Golden Highway between Rand Show Road and Soweto Highway, and Booysens Reserve Road near Crownwood Road. In Sandton and Rosebank, disruptions continue on Grayston Drive, Rivonia Road, Maude Street, Oxford Road and Jan Smuts Avenue as dignitaries travel between accommodation sites.

Weather services have issued warnings for severe thunderstorms across Gauteng, with slippery roads and poor visibility expected to worsen traffic conditions. Fihla said the combination of weather and heavy G20 traffic increased the likelihood of congestion and incidents. “The combination of slippery roads, poor visibility, and G20-related congestion significantly increases the risk of crashes. We ask motorists to keep headlights on and maintain a safe following distance,” he said.

Fihla said by Sunday morning no major new highway blockages had been reported, but emphasised that the network remains fragile and that even minor accidents could lead to extensive delays.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the N1, M1, N12, R21 and R24 where possible and use alternative routes through Roodepoort, Sandton and the south of Johannesburg, including Beyers Naudé Drive, Christiaan de Wet Road, Ontdekkers Road, parallel residential routes near Rivonia and Oxford, Chris Hani Road, Main Reef Road and Soweto Highway where accessible.

Traffic conditions are expected to ease only after the summit concludes later in the day.