M1 reopened after SAMWU wage protest

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) says traffic is moving again on the M1 Freeway following an earlier protest over wages by South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) members. Public order police have since dispersed the demonstrators who had blocked the freeway near Smit Street in Braamfontein. JMPD Spokesperson Xolani Fihla says all lanes in both directions are now open, but motorists may still encounter congestion on nearby roads. Fihla says traffic officers remain in the area to monitor the situation and assist with traffic flow. “The blockade caused severe back-ups along the main north-south arterial corridor, impacting travel into and out of the Johannesburg CBD. All lanes on the M1 northbound and southbound have now been reopened to traffic. While the road is clear, residual congestion remains in the Braamfontein precinct and surrounding CBD routes. JMPD officers remain on site to monitor the area and ease traffic flow. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution as residual delays clear.” TRAFFIC ADVISORY — UPDATE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 26 OCTOBER 2026 | 16h15 UPDATE: M1 FREEWAY REOPENED FOLLOWING DISPERSAL OF PROTEST ACTION AT SMIT STREET (JOHANNESBURG CBD / BRAAMFONTEIN) The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) informs motorists that Public Order Policing (POP) units were deployed to the M1 freeway near the Smit Street on- and off-ramps in Braamfontein, where they successfully dispersed the protesting crowds. Earlier today, members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) engaged in protest action regarding ongoing wage disputes. Demonstrators marched onto the M1 freeway, forcing a total closure in both directions at the Smit Street on- and off-ramps near Braamfontein. The blockade caused severe back-ups along the main north-south arterial corridor, impacting travel into and out of the Johannesburg CBD. All lanes on the M1 northbound and southbound have now been reopened to traffic. While the road is clear, residual congestion remains in the Braamfontein precinct and surrounding CBD routes. JMPD officers remain on site to monitor the area and ease traffic flow. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution as residual delays clear. ENDS Issued by:Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) – Communications Unit #SaferJoburg #JoburgRoadSafety #JHBTraffic — Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) October 26, 2026