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Johannesburg’s G20 Clean-Up Highlights Safety Concerns Beyond the Summit

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Chiraag

Johannesburg G20 summit preparations, Hillbrow clean up and crime, Wanderers taxi rank policing, Parkmore private security patrols, Joburg ETC

Johannesburg is rushing to polish its streets ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit in November. Litter is being cleared, potholes patched, and police are more visible in certain hotspots. But residents remain sceptical, questioning whether these improvements will last beyond the global event.

A City in the Spotlight

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly rebuked Johannesburg’s leadership for allowing infrastructure and services to collapse. His demand for urgent action has set the pace for the current clean-up drive.

Some progress is undeniable. Hillbrow, one of the city’s most infamous areas, looks cleaner. Yet people living and working there say crime and social problems remain far more pressing.

Street vendor Adam Ndlovu calls parts of Clarendon Street a “drive-in drug market” and says police rarely patrol, especially at night. For him, the city’s facelift changes little about daily safety.

Mixed Results on the Ground

At the Wanderers taxi rank near Park Station, more police have been deployed. But in other parts of Hillbrow, enforcement is inconsistent despite high levels of drug arrests.

Suburbs like Parkmore are taking matters into their own hands. Residents there have hired round-the-clock private security, with patrol cars and bicycle officers supplementing what the city provides. Parkmore Residents Association manager Lorie Klein says the central city struggles more with basics like overflowing bins and littering.

“The City gets a clean-up before big events, then it’s back to business as usual,” Klein says.

Politics and Policing

The Democratic Alliance’s Johannesburg leader, Belinda Kayser, argues the city is treating safety as a temporary project. “Johannesburg cannot be safe only when global leaders visit,” she says. Kayser is pushing for stronger Metro Police resources, better use of technology, and real partnerships between SAPS, Metro Police and private security.

City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane maintains that progress is being made. He highlights JMPD’s “broken window” strategy, which tackles small offences to discourage serious crime. Officers patrol the inner city day and night, supported by SAPS and community forums.

Still, Modingoane acknowledges challenges like illegal dumping, hijacked buildings, and informal trading at taxi ranks. A block-by-block cleaning system has been introduced and more bins installed, but staff shortages make consistency difficult.

After the Summit

With weeks to go before the G20, Johannesburg is balancing appearances with long-term challenges. For residents, the real test will come after November, when the global spotlight fades. The question remains: will the City of Gold continue to shine, or will it slip back into neglect?