Cape Town hit by ‘total shutdown’ protests across the city

A citywide “total shutdown” is affecting many parts of Cape Town on Thursday. The total shutdown is an outcry towards government’s lack of housing projects and opportunities in the province.

According to the City of Cape Town, the “organisers [said to be a group called Gatvol Capetonian] have not engaged with us directly, and we cannot predict the extent” or “impact” of the protests. But as early as 8am, the effects can already be seen.

According to Google Maps, a number of key roads across the city have been closed, including Voortrekker Road (R102) between Maitland and Goodwood, Prince George Drive (M5) between Plumstead and Diep River, and Stellenbosch Arterial Road (M12) in Delft.

@TrafficSA and @EWNTraffic are two essential Twitter follows for updates.

Cape Town – R300 North: HEAVY TRAFFIC between Delft and Bellville – Stellenbosch Arterial off-ramp is CLOSED #TotalShutdown pic.twitter.com/ezsNMPQIbE

— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) August 8, 2019

Cape Town – M5 Route: #TotalShutdown Parkwood area pic.twitter.com/JuaMOnfWbG

— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) August 8, 2019

#CPTTraffic Total Shutdown Closures:
-Buitengracht at Shortmarket Str towards Table Mountain. Rose Street closed at Wale Street, No access into Bo Kaap
-R304 closed at Mamre Road, Atlantis and Paradise Road closed at Silverstream

— EWN Traffic (@EWNTraffic) August 8, 2019

Traffic along major highways, including the R300, N1 and N2 inbound are currently thick with traffic.

Gatvol Capetonian noted that if demands aren’t addressed in three weeks, another similar shutdown will be planned.

Feature image: Wale Street in Bo Kaap, central Cape Town, by Matthias Mueller via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)