SAMWU protest leaves M1 and M2 highways in Johannesburg gridlocked

Thousands of City of Johannesburg employees affiliated with SAMWU have blocked off the M1 and M2 highways in Braamfontein and the Johannesburg CBD.

It is understood that the members are aggrieved over wage disputes, following an attempted engagement with the City’s leadership this morning.

IN PICTURES | The aftermath of the SAMWU protest
Pictures by Horisani Sithole pic.twitter.com/yhQT4LGyWp

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Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson, Xolani Fihla says this is causing heavy traffic disruptions in the area…

“Despite the closure, it is reported that the members are not violent, and officers have been deployed to divert traffic. Traffic is being diverted at Empire Road on the M1 south, at Booysens Road on the M1 north, the Rissik Street/Selby exit on the M2 west, and motorists coming from Crown using the M2 east can join the M1 south and exit at Booysens Road. We urge motorists to exercise caution, avoid the M1 and M2 highways, and use alternative routes to avoid the closures.”