“As the NATJOINTS, we have been meeting daily with all relevant role-players to ensure our security plan is well-executed,” NATJOINTS Chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Tuesday.

South Africa will host the Leaders’ Summit on 22 and 23 November 2025 after having assumed the G20 Presidency in December 2024.

“We are therefore confident in saying that the safety and security preparations for the Summit are well on track, with all critical role players already on the ground executing their various responsibilities as per their mandate,” she said.

This as a five-pillar approach has been taken for the summit that will be hosted on African soil for the first time.

The five-pillar approach speaks to:
• Intelligence gathering, analysis and co-ordination; to ensure police detect, prevent and combat all forms of criminality timeously.
• A proactive approach which includes high visibility to police all hotspot areas to prevent, and respond to any element of criminality.
• The implementation of the Combat approach in response to any violation of the law through the deployment of uniformed officers including specialised units. Should the need arise, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is also on standby to exercise their secondary role of supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• Reactive approach through detection and case management.
• Awareness and information sharing led by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), and Communication teams from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the SAPS, keeping interested parties and communities at home and abroad updated through messaging that will enhance the safety and security of everyone in the country – residents and visitors alike.

Addressing the media at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on the state of security readiness for the Summit, Mosikili urged the public to take note of the identified road closures and cooperate with law enforcement authorities. She added that roads will be closed off completely and movement from pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will be limited when convoys pass through.

“Roads will be opened as soon as the convoys move past the affected routes,” she said.

This as the Road Traffic Management Corporation as well as the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Departments have already appraised communities of the affected road closures and possible traffic delays. The specific routes that are already affected include parts of the N1, N12, R21, N3, R24 and the M1.

She warned that lawlessness will not be tolerated and those found on the wrong side of the law will face the might of the law.

“We would like to remind members of the public that the safety of our visitors and that of South Africans as a whole, is paramount and anyone who tries and even attempts to test our security measures – will face the full might of the law.”

With regards to groups planning to protest within the Nasrec vicinity, Mosikili urged them to do so within the confines of the law.

“Failure to do so, could land you on the wrong side of the law and we shall also not hesitate to act decisively with any acts of lawlessness. Designated speakers’ corners around the vicinity of Nasrec have been identified for this purpose.

“We will therefore not allow any disruptions, lawlessness and no damaging and defacing of G20 infrastructure including posters. It is on that note, that we request everyone within the borders of South Africa to cooperate with law enforcement officers at all times, to enable us to deliver a successful event.”

Boots on the ground

With the maximum resources in place, law enforcement is prepared and ready to police the event with fit for purpose members.

“Together with various law enforcement agencies including the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), we are executing and implementing the security plan accordingly, with more boots on the ground,” she said.

Accreditation

With regard to the access to the venue, Lt Gen Mosikili said only those in possession of valid accreditation will be allowed near the venue and restricted areas.

“Therefore, those who are still without accreditation which includes officials and members of the media are advised to obtain a non-transferable accreditation,” she said.

She warned that those found with fraudulent accreditation or using another person’s accreditation, will face the full might of the law.

“No accreditation card, no entrance to the venue,” she said.

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This after the power utility and law enforcement executed several arrests related to theft and corruption over the past few months.

“The ongoing efforts have resulted in a series of arrests, with the financial impact of these crimes totalling R1.09 million.

“To date, R873,000 has been recovered and sentencing has been executed. These arrests highlight the ongoing fight against internal and external criminal activities affecting Eskom’s operations,” the power utility said.

Some of the arrests made include that of an Eskom employee and his brother for theft, an Eskom official and security contractor for diesel theft and a weighbridge operator involved in fraudulent fuel transactions.

“An Eskom supplier and his brother in eMalahleni and Middelburg were arrested…for the theft of 16 dome valves valued at R173 000 from Tutuka Power Station. The arrests follow extensive internal and external investigations dating back to 2023.

“In a separate incident, an Eskom employee and a contracted Security Officer were arrested for diesel theft at Kriel Power Station in Mpumalanga. Eskom’s Group Security and Investigation team apprehended the suspects after observing suspicious activity.

“The investigation resulted in the seizure of…fuel trucks, which are now part of the inquiry and the arrest of the Eskom Weighbridge Operator, and the contracted Security Officer charged for theft of diesel worth over R700 000.”

Furthermore, an official has also appeared in court to face charges of corruption.

“On Thursday, 21 November 2024, the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court granted a R50 000 bail to Nonhlanhla Nhlabathi, an Eskom employee accused of corruption at Arnot Power Station in Mpumalanga. Her case has been remanded to 12 March 2025 for trial at the Middleburg Regional Court.

“While employed at Arnot Power Station, Nhlabathi allegedly extorted R220 000…from two individuals, falsely promising them a tender to supply toilets, stationery, uniforms, and baton sticks.

“Nhlabathi was formally charged by the South African Police Services (SAPS) Organised Crime – Eskom Deployment Investigation Team on 4 November 2024 and has since been dismissed following an internal disciplinary process,” Eskom said.

Last month, another suspect was sentenced to five years imprisonment after being convicted of theft of critical infrastructure at the Matimba Power Station in Limpopo.

Eskom assured South Africans that it is committed to “eradicating crime and corruption” within the power utility.

“While most of our employees are honest and dedicated, a small minority engages in criminal activities and must be identified and dealt with decisively. Eskom remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating criminal activities within its operations.

“To strengthen governance and combat corruption, [Eskom] has restructured its forensic, security, and investigative functions under the newly established Group Investigations and Security Division, which now reports directly to the Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.

“Through collaboration with the NATJOINTS Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee, Eskom ensures that crime and corruption incidents are swiftly and effectively addressed, safeguarding its assets, and maintaining stakeholder trust. The conviction in the Matimba Power Station case sends a strong message that acts of crime targeting critical infrastructure will not be tolerated,” Eskom concluded.

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The energy utility described a “rising wave” of attacks against its employees in that province and warned that rising violence is compromising its ability to service those areas.

“Despite an initial decline earlier in the financial year, these attacks have surged since October 2024, posing significant risks to both personnel and service delivery operations, particularly in the Eastern Cape

“Eskom is committed to enhancing security measures but will cease operations in areas where employee safety is compromised. Protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its employees is an urgent priority,” Eskom said.

The energy company revealed that at least 14 armed robberies and five car hijackings had been perpetrated against its employees since the beginning of the 2024/25 financial year.

“One of the most alarming incidents occurred on 4 January 2025 along the N2 at Tsolo Junction, where an Eskom employee was shot and robbed of personal belongings during a car hijacking. Electrification sites and commuting employees remain particularly vulnerable, with most attacks concentrated in Mbodlana Village, uMthatha, Port St Johns, and Tsolo.

“Criminals are employing extreme violence, using firearms, hijacking company and personal vehicles, coercing employees into transferring cash, and even restraining them. These threats place Eskom personnel at severe risk of injury or loss of life while carrying out essential duties,” Eskom said.

The power utility said continued attacks “extend beyond individual safety concerns”.

“They contribute to the deterioration of public infrastructure, jeopardise energy security, disrupt electricity supply, result in financial losses, and create an unsafe work environment.

“Eskom strongly condemns these violent acts and continues to work diligently with NATJOINTS to curb the crisis. However, should the situation persist, Eskom may be forced to withdraw its technicians from high-risk areas.

“This would inevitably lead to prolonged power outages and service disruptions, negatively affecting communities and businesses. The safety of Eskom employees is non-negotiable,” Eskom said.

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