Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government has heightened security ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, citing fears that certain groups may attempt to vandalise essential infrastructure and disrupt the international gathering.
This follows the provincial government’s condemnation last week of what it described as coordinated and malicious acts of vandalism targeting recently upgraded public infrastructure across Johannesburg. These incidents occurred just days before the start of the summit, raising concerns that the acts may be intended to undermine South Africa’s role as host.
Lesufi said authorities were aware of attempts by what he called “roguish elements” to interfere with preparations and confirmed that security forces are on high alert.
“We have directed our law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation. We will identify, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators of this sabotage to the full extent of the law,” he said after the incident.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit will take place at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 November. As part of the readiness briefing on Monday, Lesufi revealed that some of the recent vandalism has targeted infrastructure crucial to water and electricity distribution, further suggesting deliberate attempts to cause disruption ahead of the event.
“We have learnt something important; we must not assume that all South Africans are happy that we’re hosting the G20 Summit, or that all South Africans are pleased that we’re improving our cities,” he said.
He also dismissed claims by some political parties and residents that the ongoing upgrades were solely for the summit.
Lesufi explained that the improvements form part of longer-term plans to prepare Johannesburg for major upcoming international events, including the LIV Golf tournament scheduled to take place at Steyn City in March 2026. He said these upgrades are intended to benefit residents in the long run by improving water systems, transport routes and other public services.
Johannesburg, once celebrated as South Africa’s economic powerhouse and known as the City of Gold, has in recent years faced challenges that have eroded public confidence in the city’s governance and service delivery.
Against this backdrop, securing the G20 Summit and ensuring that infrastructure remains functional and protected has become a priority for provincial authorities, who see the event as an opportunity to restore confidence and strengthen the city’s international standing.
