G20 preparations: Gauteng govt threatens up to 30 years imprisonment for vandals

The Gauteng government has issued a stern warning against attempts to disrupt G20 preparations, threatening vandals of public infrastructure with up to thirty years imprisonment.

This follows incidents of vandalism ahead of the G20 summit, where South Africa will host at least sixty heads of state at the Nasrec Expo Centre in two weeks.

ALSO READ: Gauteng govt raises alarm over vandalism of infrastructure and G20 signage

Since assuming the G20 presidency at the end of 2024, the South African government has come under fire for expediting service delivery in preparation for the summit.

The cleanup drive in parts of the country, especially on G20 routes, has now drawn calls for a shutdown by frustrated residents who said it can’t be business as usual at the leaders’ summit.

Gauteng government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said armed assailants have vandalised the recently installed G20summit signage near Nasrec as well as streetlights and traffic signals along the R55 route.

“The Gauteng provincial [government] is extremely concerned that the investment that we made to upgrade our road infrastructure is now being undermined by criminals. The criminals are targeting infrastructure such as traffic signals as well as streetlights, where the repairs have been recently completed. We call upon members of the public to work with the police to ensure that these criminals are arrested.”

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