Johannesburg roads to close for Transnet strike

Thousands of commuters stranded as the Transnet strike continues in four provinces

Several roads in Johannesburg's central business district will be closed to traffic this morning as 20 000 Transnet workers are expected to march to the parastatal's head office at the Carlton Centre. The march is part of a three-day strike to protest against restructuring at Transnet.

Hundreds of train commuters have either been late for work or simply failed to arrive since the strike resumed on Monday. Despite Metrorail reinforcing the number of train drivers with Spoornet staff and providing buses along some of their routes, there is still chaos for commuters.

Many commuters are complaining that the buses only take them halfway to their destinations with no provision for the rest of the journey. Many stations are deserted around Johannesburg, as commuters appear to have opted for alternative public transport.