Johannesburg traffic chaos: EFF Eskom March causes delays on Friday
The EFF’s official Eskom March only kicked off at 9:00, but there are already some major Johannesburg traffic issues to report on Friday. The large gathering of supporters – including truck drivers and other industrial workers – has caused abject chaos on the roads.
The Red Berets are marching in protest against the alleged steps towards “privatisation” at Eskom, after the ANC government announced plans to sell-off certain operations and open-up the grid for IPPs. Julius Malema and his supporters are also livid with the performance of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, who they blame for the crippling load shedding schedules blighting South Africa.
Johannesburg traffic latest news and updates for Friday 28 February
The group are going on an 11-kilometre trek, starting from Innesfree Park and ending at Eskom HQ. The march is expected to take three-and-a-half hours, and traffic on the route will be disrupted by a heavy police presence between 9:00 – 15:00. Roads affected include
- Katherine (trucks blocking the road at Bowling).
- Grayston Drive
- Rivonia Road
- Witkoppen Road
- The approach towards – and into – Megawatt Park
- Avoid these roads until after 15:00. Alternative routes can include Sandton Drive and William Nicol.
EFF Eskom March – what is the route, the start point and the final destination?
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar confirmed that it’s a case of ‘all hands on deck’ for local law enforcement.
“Traffic will be diverted for a protest march in Sandton on Friday 28 February. As a huge contingent of law enforcement officers will be on duty to monitor the EFF march which will proceed up Grayston Drive. Then go right into Rivonia Road , then right in Witkoppen Road and proceed up to Eskom offices in Megawatt Park. The march will return to Sandton along the same route.”
Already, the disruption is being keenly felt by the Johannesburg traffic:
Isukile #JamnandasMustGo #EFFEskomMarch. pic.twitter.com/gmF5BkXLcq
— Koena. (@ThabaKoena) February 28, 2020
All Truck Drivers Foundation (ATDF) at Innesfree Park have joined the march against loadshedding and the privatisation of ESKOM #EFFEskomMarch pic.twitter.com/nPEf8bf9ZS
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 28, 2020
Avoid Bowling/Katherine Sandton. Coal trucks. More trucks reportedly en-route. pic.twitter.com/pebGaigxUB
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) February 28, 2020
Meanwhile, other Johannesburg traffic incidents include…
(Relevant for the morning only)
- In Bryanston, expect a 20 minute delay approaching the intersection of William Nicol and Peter Place.
- Broken down vehicle on the M2 West near the Rissik Street exit, slow moving traffic.
- We’ve got slow moving traffic on the R24 West from Makro Store to the N12 merge
- There is a stationary vehicle on Malibongwe Drive East near the N1 Highway
- Another stationary vehicle has been reported on the M2 West near the Rissik Street exit, causing congestion
- Left lane on the N3 northbound blocked after Linksfield Rd
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