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On Monday, traffic chaos erupted on the M1 highway near Johannesburg's CBD due to a protest by the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu). The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) promptly closed the M1 at the Smit Street interchange, resulting in severe traffic disruptions throughout the CBD and its surroundings.

The Samwu protest was sparked by ongoing wage disputes with the City of Johannesburg, leading to a complete road closure in both directions on the M1 highway, both northbound and southbound at the Smit Street off-ramp and on-ramp in Braamfontein.

JMPD officers were dispatched to manage traffic flow, safely direct vehicles away from the protest area, and monitor the evolving situation. Active diversions were put in place to redirect motorists. Motorists navigating towards or through the CBD were strongly advised to avoid the M1 around the Braamfontein interchange and seek alternative routes.

Those traveling southbound from Sandton or Rosebank were directed to divert off at Empire Road or Jan Smuts Avenue, proceeding via Parktown into the outer CBD routes. Northbound travelers from Booysens or the South were advised to bypass the CBD core by diverting via Booysens Road or joining the M2 East/Joe Slovo Drive.

East-west commuters were also urged to utilize the M2 Highway, M11 (Victoria Avenue/Joubert Park), or the N1 Western Bypass to avoid congestion in the central district. However, JMPD cautioned motorists to approach all diversions with utmost caution and obey the instructions of traffic officers on the scene. The department also warned that significant delays were expected during peak travel hours, advising motorists to allow extra travel time due to the ongoing protest and its associated traffic disruptions.