Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, has confirmed that six people were arrested during protest action by Diepkloof Hostel residents in Soweto on Saturday.

Kekana said the first responders were Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and Public Order Policing units, who found protesters blocking the highway.

Local police stations across Soweto were mobilized to assist as demonstrators threw stones and damaged vehicles.

“Six people have been arrested for public violence. Currently, they are being processed. Our detectives are here with the station command of Diepkloof, and our Crime Intelligence Head is on the ground to identify the instigators,” Kekana said.

While residents faced electricity challenges, Kekana said police will not tolerate lawlessness.

“Damage to property or hindering people’s lives by blocking roads and throwing stones at vehicles will not be allowed. We mobilized more public order policing to ensure all routes are opened. The situation is calm and under control.”

ALSO READ: City Power responds to Diepkloof hostel protest over power outage

Earlier, City Power confirmed they were aware of protest action in the Soweto area.

City Power said the ongoing power outage at Diepkloof hostel, which sparked protest action, stemmed from issues on the Eskom network and an outstanding debt linked to the facility’s account.

The utility explained that the initial fault was reported on Monday, 20 April, with Eskom technicians deployed to the site on Wednesday.

While repairs to faulty cables were completed, Eskom has since isolated supply to the hostel due to non-payment.

The outage has left residents frustrated, with demonstrations escalating into clashes with police as community members demand the restoration of electricity.

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Gauteng authorities have launched a sweeping joint traffic and security operation across Johannesburg as part of intensified preparations for the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, with motorists warned to brace for rolling road closures, delays and heightened police visibility throughout the day.

The dry-run, which began at 9 in the morning and continued until 1 in the afternoon, is the latest in a series of coordinated exercises designed to test readiness ahead of the high-level gathering next weekend.

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted the operation along key high-security corridors expected to be used by international delegations.

Officers were deployed along major highways, roads and strategic intersections to manage traffic, escort convoys and identify potential pressure points.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that while all roads had reopened by the early afternoon, motorists should still anticipate intermittent closures and disruptions throughout the day as law enforcement continues its preparations.

He emphasised that the public should expect similar exercises in the coming days as the security cluster strengthens planning for the influx of international leaders.

“Motorists must be aware that these operations are part of our broader preparations for the G20 Summit. There will be temporary closures and officers managing movement along these routes. We urge people to remain patient and to follow advisories so that travel is smoother and safer for everybody,” Fihla said.

The dry-run focused heavily on Sandton, the broader Rosebank–Parktown corridor, Roodepoort and the Nasrec precinct in the south of Johannesburg, where the summit will be hosted.

These areas are expected to experience the most significant disruptions due to their proximity to hotels, meeting venues and convoy routes.

Major routes include the N1, M1, N12 and sections of the N17 have been incorporated into the security sweep, together with busy roads such as Rivonia Road, Grayston Drive, Maude Street, Jan Smuts Avenue, Oxford Road, Winnie Mandela Drive and Hendrick Potgieter Road.

Fihla noted that authorities had taken public frustration into account, particularly following previous unannounced operations that caused severe congestion.

He said extensive communication had been prioritised this time to ensure residents and commuters were not caught off-guard.

“In earlier operations, communication was not adequate. Last month we began improving the flow of information, and people were still frustrated because they didn’t have full details. Now, with preparations for this weekend and next weekend, we have released proper communication so that residents are aware of these significant disruptions. We want motorists to plan ahead, avoid affected routes and use the alternative routes available,” he explained.

Authorities issued a detailed advisory on detours and alternative roads, urging motorists to avoid Hendrick Potgieter Road in Roodepoort and instead use Beyers Naude Drive, Christiaan De Wet Road or Ontdekkers Road.

In Fourways, Main Road, Cedar Road and Witkoppen Road are recommended, while in Sandton, Rosebank and Parktown, drivers are encouraged to use parallel side streets such as Corlett Drive, Sandton Drive and 11th Avenue.

In southern Johannesburg, commuters moving through Riverlea, Nasrec and Ormonde View can utilise Chris Hani Road, Main Reef Road, Soweto Highway, Crownwood Road, the N17, Aerodrome Road and Adcock Ingram Road.

The RTMC said the measures are essential to safeguarding the summit and ensuring secure movement of high-profile attendees, while also improving traffic compliance and easing congestion.

Officers conducted vehicle checks and monitored bottlenecks in real time, supported by clear signage, traffic marshals and on-the-ground communication teams.

Fihla confirmed that emergency vehicles and essential services will receive priority access throughout the operations.

With the summit now only a week away, traffic disruptions are expected to intensify as final security and logistical preparations continue.

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