As teams from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) prepare to descend into Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), motorists have been warned to avoid, at all cost, roads where shutdown riots have turned for the worst.
Shutdown Gauteng: Motorists urged to avoid these roads
Law enforcement agencies have been stretched thin and outnumbered as scores of rioters demanding the immediate release of former president Jacob Zuma continue to render major cities of the province inoperable.
in Johannesburg, a number of businesses have suffered irreparable damage caused by looters who, since this past weekend, have destroyed infrastructure and made off with stolen goods.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Wayne Minnaar confirmed that more efforts are being made to contain the violence.
According to JMPD, these roads are a no-go zone on Monday:
- N2 highway at Denver is closed off due to unrest triggered by residents of a nearby hostel
- Motorists coming from Johannesburg south heading towards OR Tambo will have to use the N12 and connect with the N3 and R24
- Motorists coming from Johannesburg east areas like Leondale and Germiston will have to make use of the N12 and N1 interchanges, or N12 then N3. Alternatively, motorists can use the Bedfordview route to access the CBD
Minnaar confirmed in a televised interview with eNCA that law enforcement agencies are working in an integrated manner to ensure that all passage is clear for motorists to use key routes.
At the time this article was published, soldiers had been deployed into various locations in Gauteng and KZN. The official word on the protocol the army will operate under will be thoroughly combed through by President Cyril Ramaphosa who is expected to address the nation on Monday evening.