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30 June protest hotspots in South Africa – from highest to lowest risk

Malcolm Libera

 ·30 Jun 2026

South Africans are being urged to exercise caution and plan their travel carefully on Tuesday, 30 June, as authorities prepare for protests against undocumented immigration and identify several roads and areas that could be disrupted.

Road safety organisation Arrive Alive has published a list of high-, medium- and low-risk protest hotspots across the country, warning motorists to expect possible road closures, traffic congestion, freight disruptions and protest-related activity in several provinces.

The warning comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa called on demonstrators to exercise their constitutional right to protest peacefully while respecting the rights and safety of others.

“South Africans have raised deep concerns about illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services, criminal syndicates that exploit our immigration system and the impact these challenges have on communities,” Ramaphosa said.

However, he stressed that constitutional rights come with responsibilities. “The right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence,” he said.

“The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities. Those who intend to protest should do so peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others.”

Ramaphosa added that criminal conduct would not be tolerated.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the country remained stable in the 24 hours before the planned protests, and that the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster had activated its national operational plan.

Speaking during a media briefing, Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said Operation June 30 had entered its full implementation phase, with law enforcement deployed across all nine provinces.

She said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures, provincial command centres and operational teams were operating around the clock, while Public Order Policing units, specialised response teams and the SAPS Air Wing remained on standby.

“The State is ready. Law enforcement is ready. South Africa is ready,” Mosikili said, adding that contingency plans had been tested and there would be “no security vacuum”.

Hotspots identified

Mosikili emphasised that peaceful demonstrations would be protected, but warned that authorities would act against anyone attempting to intimidate communities, block access to workplaces, schools or healthcare facilities, damage infrastructure, loot businesses or attack police officers.

Mosikili also reminded protesters that dangerous weapons, including firearms, knives and traditional weapons, are prohibited at demonstrations.

According to Arrive Alive, Gauteng is expected to experience the highest concentration of protest activity.

High-risk locations include stretches of the N1 and N12 highways, Johannesburg CBD, Newtown, Mary Fitzgerald Square, Main Reef Road, Hillbrow, Dragon City and the China Shopping Centre. 

Motorists have been warned to expect road blockades, heavy traffic delays, freight disruptions and possible intimidation in these areas.

KwaZulu-Natal also features several high-risk locations, including central Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and the N3 corridor near the Mooi River, where authorities are warning of possible truck blockades, freight disruptions, and commuter delays.

In the Western Cape, Arrive Alive identified Mossel Bay, Kwanonqaba, Asla Park, Kleinmond and Gansbaai as high-risk areas due to the potential for community unrest, business disruptions and road closures.

East London’s KuGompo area has also been classified as high risk because of the possibility of protests targeting businesses. Several other locations across the country have been assessed as medium risk.

These include Pretoria CBD, Benoni, OR Tambo International Airport’s logistics precinct, Cape Town, Rustenburg, Marikana, Brits, Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Polokwane, Musina, Mbombela, Komatipoort, Bloemfontein and the N1/N3 routes near Harrismith.

Only Kimberley and the Northern Cape’s N12 and N14 transport corridors were classified as low risk, although Arrive Alive still warned that isolated road incidents and transport delays remain possible.

Authorities have urged motorists to monitor traffic updates, avoid identified hotspots where possible and allow extra travel time throughout the day, while protesters have been encouraged to remain peaceful and act within the law.

A full table of the identified hotspots can be viewed below