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Samwu protest closes Johannesburg M1 ramps over pay dispute

Published

Members of the SA Municipal Workers' Union protested on the M1 freeway on Monday, and the Johannesburg metro police closed the Smit Street ramps in both directions. The union says the City has gone back on a pay agreement.

Johannesburg metropolitan police department (JMPD) officers directed motorists away from the protest and set up diversions. The closures caused congestion in the CBD and surrounding areas. Officers later dispersed the protesters.

The union says City of Johannesburg workers are on incorrect salary scales. It says the City agreed to a R5.4 billion allocation to address pay disparities. The City now proposes to pay R1.2 billion from April next year, the union says.

Regional Chairperson Lebohang Ndawo said the City promised part payment by September after selling a few assets. He said the City instead offered the balance over two to three years. The union also alleges that police shot some protesters with rubber bullets.

Deputy Regional Secretary Richard Moila said the members were not on strike. He said they went to the area to be addressed by Mayor Dada Morero, who was not at the municipal building.

Key facts

Who
SA Municipal Workers' Union (union whose members protested over wage disputes); Johannesburg metropolitan police department (said the closures affected both carriageways and deployed officers to manage…); Lebohang Ndawo (SAMWU Regional Chairperson); Municipal Workers Union (union representing City of Johannesburg employees)
What
The JMPD closed the Smit Street on-ramps and off-ramps on the M1 in both directions while SA Municipal Workers' Union members protested over wages, causing congestion in the CBD and surrounding areas. Officers were deployed to direct motorists away from the protest and diversions were put in place.
When
26 October 2026
Where
Johannesburg, M1 freeway, Smit Street
Status
Reported

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