Large crowds are expected to gather at key assembly points across the country to kick off the national shutdown against what trade unions term the impending collapse of South Africa’s economy on Wednesday, 24 August 2022.
Here’s how police plan to monitor the strike
Two of South Africa’s largest labour organisations, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), along with their affiliate groups representing workers in the public sector, healthcare, education, security and agriculture, among others, will down tools on Wednesday.
Of course, the nationwide protest was approved through legal channels. However, an element of the unknown still exists, and thus, police departments in various cities have initiated public order plans to monitor and quell, where necessary, spurts of unrest that may arise during the march.
In eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the metro police department is expected to deploy officers to several ‘hotspot’ areas in the town’s central business district to ensure peace is maintained during the shutdown.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), on the other hand, has no such plans for Wednesday’s shutdown.
In fact, in a statement, JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla claimed the police department has yet to receive “a notification or application from any organisation regarding the national shutdown in the City of Johannesburg.”
Fihla further confirmed that JMPD officers will not be deployed to monitor the march at targeted areas, but “high visibility from law enforcement is a top priority, and the department remains on high alert for any disruptions and disturbances that might occur.”
National shutdown: Road closures in every province on Wednesday, 24 August 2022
Here is a look at possible road closures that may be implemented in every province where large crowds are expected to participate in the national shutdown on Wednesday, 24 August 2022.:
Western Cape
Protesters are expected to picket outside the Passenger Railway Agency’s (PRASA) offices in Adderley Street from 10:00. According to Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, the City is only aware of two planned demonstrations:
- A picket by COSATU for 100 participants outside the PRASA building at 09:00; and
- A march by SAFTU for 1 000 participants.
The SAFTU march will start on Hanover Street in the CBD and proceed to the Civic Centre, Provincial Legislature and Parliament.
Roads motorists ought to avoid from 10:00 include:
Hanover Street to Cape Town Civic Centre
- Hanover Street
- Darling Street
- Christiaan Barnard Street
- Louis Gradner Street
- Martin Hammersschlag Way
- Mediterranean Street
- Jan Smuts Street
- Hertzog Boulevard
Cape Town Civic Centre to Provincial Legislature
- Hertzog Boulevard
- DF Malan Street
- Adderley Street
- Wale Street
Provincial Legislature to Parliament
- Wale Street
- Spin Street
- Plein Street
Gauteng
In Tshwane, protesters will gather at Burgers Park on Vander Walt Street and then head toward the Union Buildings from 09:00.
Motorists are advised to avoid:
- Francis Baard Street
- Nana Sita Street
- Vissagie Street
- Pretorius Street
- Helen Joseph Street
- Madiba Street
- Sisulu Street
- Du Toit Street
- Nelson Mandela Drive
- Steve Biko Street
- Hamilton Street
Mpumalanga
In Mpumalanga, protesters are expected to assemble at Broadway in Witbank and march toward Eskom Park from 09:00.
Possible road closures may be set up on:
- Mandela Street
- Jellico Street
- Woltemade Street
- Beatty Avenue
- Churchill Avenue
North West
In North West, protesters are expected to gather in three cities, Klerksdorp, Mahikeng and Rustenburg.
In Klerksdorp, large crowds will gather at Medical Centre and proceed to picket outside the Department of Mineral Resources. In Mahikeng, protesters are expected to meet up at Montshiwa Stadium, where they will proceed toward the Provincial Legislature.
In Rustenburg, protesters will huddle at the taxi rank and then head toward the Rustenburg Municipal offices from 09:00.
Road closures can be expected at:
Klerksdorp
- Golf Street
- Voortrekker Street
- Anderson Street (R30)
- North Street
- Leask Street
- Siddle Street
Mahikeng
- Kemonosi Street
- Sekame Street
- Dr James Moroka Drive
- Dr Mokgobo Avenue
Rustenburg
- Beneden Street
- Bethlehem Street
- Fatima Bhayat Street
- Klopper Street
- Oliver Tambo Drive
- Bosch Street
- Nelson Mandela Street
KwaZulu-Natal
Protesters are expected to gather at the King Dinuzulu Park in Durban at 09:00. Metro police spokesperson Boysie Zungu confirmed the march will proceed to City Hall via Pixi KeSeme.
While no road closures will be put in place, Zungu confirmed law enforcement will be on high alert for any disruptions and all intersections will be managed by police officers.
Free State
In Free State, the shutdown will take place in Old Phuthaditjhaba and Bloemfontein.
No information is available on the picket taking place in Old Phuthaditjhaba, albeit the assembly point will be at the Old Phuthaditjhaba Square at 09:00. In Bloemfontein, on the other hand, protesters are expected to assemble at the Batho Community Hall and proceed toward the Premier’s office at 09:00.
Road closures may be set up on:
- Harvey Road
- President Avenue
- Kolbe Avenue
- Nelson Mandela Drive
Northern Cape
In Northern Cape, protesters will gather at several assembly points, including Roodepan, the open area in Galeshewe, the Old Greenpoint on the N8, as well as the open area at the Pick n Pay situated on Seochoareng Street in Galeshewe. The march will commence at 09:00 and proceed toward the Kemo open space.
Motorists should avoid the following roads:
Roodepan to Kemo Open Space
- Aloe Street
- Ivy Street
- Starling Street
- Eagle Street
- Midlands Street
- Barkly Road
Galeshewe to Kemo Open Space
- John Daka Street
- Corless Road
- Tyson Street
- Galeshewe Road
- Pniel Road
- Aster Road
Old Greenpoint (N8) to Kemo Open Space
- Pniel Road
- Madeliefie Street
- Aster Road
Pick n Pay in Galeshewe to Kemo Open Space
- Seochoareng Street
- Barkly Road
- Pniel Road
Limpopo
Protesters will gather at SABC Park in Polokwane from 09:00 and then head toward the Premier’s office to hand over a memorandum of demands,
Motorists are advised to avoid:
- Landdros Mare Street
- Grobler Street
- Hans Van Rensburg Street
- Thabo Mbeki Street
- Bodenstein Street