The protest led by members of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) caused heavy congestion on roads in and around the M2 highway on Thursday.
JMPD protest: Road closures on Thursday, 18 August 2022
Motorists have been warned to avoid travelling on the M2 highway in central Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon. This comes after a large group of protesters was seen gathering on the M2 double-decker bridge with rubble and rocks.
At the time this article was published, the route had not been reopened. It’s believed the JMPD protestors were waiting to be addressed by MMC for Public Safety and former metro police chief David Tembe.
Motorists are advised to take heed of the following road closures and/or notices issued on Thursday, 18 August 2022:
- M2 highway closed in both directions between M1 and M31 interchange
- Klein Street heavily congested and should be avoided
- Market Straat heavily congested
- Commissioner Street congested between Troye and Alexander Street
- Anderson Street congested between Alexander and Greene Street
- Marshall Street congested between Sauer and M31 interchange
Motorists are warned to find alternative connecting routes to Braamfontein from M2 and, at all cost, avoid roads in and around Marshalltown
Here are some of the videos that have surfaced on social media, showing the unrest that broke out on the M2 bridge:
At this time, it remains unclear what prompted the JMPD protest. From what we understand, however, it’s believed the unrest is linked to wage issues. The Gauteng Public Safety department had not issued a statement in response to the JMPD protest at the time this article was published.
This is a developing story.