Workers affiliated to SAMWU closed the M1 highway. [Picture: @ndasheii/X]
A swell of striking workers have halted the flow of traffic on Johannesburg’s main highway. The public servants are currently locked in a wage dispute with the cash-strapped city.
In a traffic advisory posted on X, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) on Thursday confirmed the closures. Affected routes were the M1 and M2 highways in Braamfontein and Selby.
“The members have blocked off the M1 in both directions at Smit Street in Braamfontein and in both directions on the M2 in Selby, causing heavy traffic disruptions in the area,” read the advisory.
Around 10 000 workers affiliated with South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) descended on Braamfontein on Thursday morning. They made an unsuccessful attempt to engage the city. This followed several rounds of negotiations at the SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC)
‼️TRAFFIC ADVISORY‼️
— Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) August 22, 2024
M1 AND M2 HIGHWAYS IN BRAAMFONTEIN AND JOHANNESBURG CBD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DUE TO MASS ACTION #JHBTraffic #JoburgRoadSafety pic.twitter.com/L0mgVYq2is
[JUST IN] SAMWU affiliated workers embarks on strike blocking multiple roads in and around Johannesburg as they’re awaiting an address from the union’s leadership at M1 highway @vowfm @VOWFMNEWS_ #VOWFMNews pic.twitter.com/TXbkYI7sSi
— Ndashe (@ndasheii) August 22, 2024
