Soweto protests Johannesburg traffic

Photo: Supplied

Soweto protests: Unrest causes Johannesburg traffic disruptions on Friday

The Soweto protests are adding to the Johannesburg traffic issues on Friday, with well-frequented roads closed and burning tyres blocking local streets.

Soweto protests Johannesburg traffic

Photo: Supplied

The end to the week is a tumultuous one in parts of Soweto, as a number of demonstrators have taken to the streets to voice their anger. Reports of protests – and a host of burning tyres – surfaced early on Friday morning.

What has caused the Soweto protests?

It’s understood that the Braamfischer region of the town in Johannesburg has been brought to “a complete standstill”, as furious locals have managed to cause several instances of traffic disruption.

It’s not yet been established what has caused the protests in Soweto, but the area is blighted by poor service delivery and intermittent electricity cuts. A man was also gunned down on the busy Elias Motsoaledi Road on Thursday, and residents are said to be disgruntled with levels of crime in the area.

Latest Johannesburg traffic news on Friday 12 July

A perfect storm of protestable incidents have brought us to this point, where several key commuter routes are either completely blocked off or closed to traffic. Here are the traffic disruptions in Johannesburg we know about so far:

  • Both Elias Motsoaledi & Maseru Roads have been closed off, the interchange is blocked.
  • Access to and from Tshepo Themba Hospital has been limited due to the protests.
  • The traffic is exceptionally heavy going through Meadowlands.
  • Entry to Dobsonville has also been made difficult, with protests spilling over into the Soweto suburb.

Soweto protests flare up in the same area

It’s worth noting that this is the second major protest to hit the area within two months. Shortly after the general election concluded in May, residents were out on the roads doing what we’ve seen from them again this week. Civility remains fragile in the area and the citizens of Soweto are seeking long-term solutions to their problems.