The N12 freeway between Klipspruit Valley Road (K43) and Abubakar Asvat Drive is being reopened following protest action at Nana’s Farm in Lenasia that forced the closure of major roads on Monday morning.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) said protesting crowds had dispersed by 7.45 am, allowing law enforcement officers to begin the process of restoring traffic flow along the affected routes.

However, the situation remained tense, with police maintaining a strong presence in the area to prevent further disruptions.

In a traffic advisory issued at 7.45 am, the JMPD said Public Order Policing (POP) units, together with JMPD and South African Police Service (SAPS) members, were in the final stages of securing and safely reopening the N12 in both directions.

The freeway had been completely closed between K43 and Abubakar Asvat Drive earlier in the morning as authorities responded to the protest.

The K43, also known as Klipspruit Valley Road, and Abubakar Asvat Drive were also affected, with access blocked or restricted as officers worked to manage the situation.

JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said officers had begun clearing rocks, debris and burnt obstructions from the affected roads.

Traffic was flowing slowly along K43 and Abubakar Asvat Drive as road clearance operations continued.

“Motorists utilising K43, Abubakar Asvat Drive, and the reopening N12 are urged to drive with extreme vigilance and be mindful of cleanup operations still underway,” the JMPD said.

The department warned that motorists should expect continued congestion even after the roads had been reopened, as traffic backlogs built up during the closures would take time to clear.

Secondary routes, including Nirvana Drive (R554) and the Golden Highway (R553), were expected to remain heavily congested as motorists sought alternative routes or returned to the affected roads.

The initial closures

The JMPD issued its first traffic advisory at 4.40 am, warning of severe disruptions caused by intense protest action that had flared up at Nana’s Farm in Lenasia.

At the time, the N12 was closed completely in both directions between K43 and Abubakar Asvat Drive.

K43 was blocked or had restricted access near the N12 interchange, while Abubakar Asvat Drive was closed to incoming and outgoing traffic.

Officers were deployed to control traffic and manage the disturbance, with motorists urged to avoid the area for their safety.

Those travelling between Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Soweto and Johannesburg South were advised to use alternative routes, including Nirvana Drive, the Golden Highway, Chris Hani Road and the Main Road through Eldorado Park.

The road closures disrupted movement through an important corridor connecting communities in the south of Johannesburg.

By 7.45 am, the dispersal of the protesting crowds had allowed authorities to make progress towards restoring normal traffic movement.

However, the JMPD said joint operations with SAPS remained active in and around the affected area.

Officers were expected to remain deployed to monitor the perimeter, prevent further protest activity and facilitate the safe movement of vehicles.

Motorists were advised to remain cautious, follow instructions from officers on the ground and allow additional travelling time while traffic conditions returned to normal.

The JMPD said residual congestion was expected to persist on connecting roads as traffic gradually cleared.