Roads to close for soccer showdown

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Stricter traffic management measures will be implemented on Sunday to ensure that fans arrive on time for the World Cup closing ceremony and final match, Gauteng transport MEC Bheki Nkosi said on Wednesday.

"This will enable us to facilitate smooth movement of fans, including VIPs, to the stadium," Nkosi told a media briefing in Sandton.

The new measures would involve closing certain roads around Soccer City Stadium - where the final match would be played, parts of the N1 highway, Sandton and Pretoria.

"A number of heads of state will also be attending the closing ceremony and final game of the World Cup," he said.

"Only vehicles with authentic accreditation will be allowed to travel in the areas affected by road closures."

Nkosi said that at the start of the tournament there had been "serious" traffic congestion on some of the routes leading to Soccer City. This was because many people had used their own vehicles to get there.

"This led to challenges besetting traffic flow and it became a logistical nightmare to control traffic.

"Logistically, it is just not possible to accommodate thousands of cars on the roads leading to the stadium in a short space of time," he said.

Public transport

Nkosi encouraged fans to instead use public transport, including trains, the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system and minibus taxis, which would be allowed to drop them off at the stadium.

"We urge fans who have park and walk tickets to travel to the stadium early before the roads are closed."

Lucky Mabasa of the provincial community safety department said officers from the Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni metro police departments would work with SA Police Service members in soft road blocks in various areas of the province.

All soft road closures would be done at the N1 onramps from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday. Cars would be directed to various diversion routes.

"Police will be assisting residents, who absolutely have to be on the roads, to get home on soft blocked roads."

The N1 would be open as soon as the operation is ceased.

In Sandton, which will be the most affected area, roads would be closed between 1pm and 5.30pm.

No parking

Fifa and SA Football Association delegates, as well as some VIPs, would arrive between 1pm and 3pm at Fifa headquarters in Sandton. Only drop-offs would be allowed on the streets around the Fifa offices during that time. No parking would be allowed.

"The Johannesburg metro police department's breakdown will be on site to remove illegally parked cars.

"There were a lot of traffic challenges in Sandton on the day of the opening game of the World Cup. These measures will help avoid them on Sunday."

Any motorist who disobeyed the special World Cup traffic regulations would have their vehicle impounded and could be fined.

He said there would be "sufficient" officers on the roads and around the stadium "to ensure that things go smoothly".

Nkosi said despite "some minor glitches" at the start of the World Cup, "we can proclaim that the entire organisation of the tournament had been a very successful operation".

The Netherlands will play Spain to decide who takes the World Cup trophy on Sunday.