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SAMWU wage protest closes M1 in Johannesburg for hours

Published

Members of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) blocked the M1 in both directions at Smit Street on Monday over a wage dispute. The road has since reopened, but congestion remained around Braamfontein and the CBD.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers went to the scene to manage traffic and diversions. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla said motorists travelling southbound on the M1 from Sandton or Rosebank should divert at Empire Road or Jan Smuts Avenue.

The JMPD said public order police dispersed the demonstrators before all lanes reopened. Fihla said the blockade caused severe back-ups along the main north-south route into and out of the CBD. Officers stayed on the scene to manage the flow of traffic.

The union is in a wage dispute with the City of Johannesburg. In a separate protest in Lenasia on Monday, the N12 was also closed.

Key facts

Who
Xolani Fihla (JMPD Spokesperson); Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (traffic and law enforcement authority that issued the update); South African Municipal Workers' Union (union whose members held the wage protest); Johannesburg Metro Police Department (police department managing traffic flow on the scene)
What
The JMPD says all lanes of the M1 in both directions have reopened after SAMWU members protesting over wages blocked the freeway; public order police dispersed the demonstrators. Residual congestion remains in Braamfontein and surrounding CBD routes.
When
26 October 2026
Where
M1 Freeway, Smit Street, Braamfontein
Status
Reported

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