The situation remains tense on the N-3 in Mooi River in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands after protests turned violent and forced the total shutdown of the freeway on Sunday night.
Eighteen trucks were torched and looted in the late-night fracas. Traffic is being diverted on the N-3 in due to clean up operations.
Criminals disrupting traffic and attacking truck drivers near Mooi River tonight #ArriveAlive @N3Route @FleetWatchCC @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/DOoRgeCYSi
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 29, 2018
Authorities were not able to confirm if there were any truck drivers injured as a result of the protest which carried on late into the night. Both the north and southbound carriageways were closed to traffic. The residue of what was once moving trucks lie stationary on the road, some burnt to ashes.
It’s unclear at this stage why the trucks are being targeted.
N3 at Mooiriver a no-go zone. 15 trucks torched sofar and police reportedly attacked with live rounds. Truckers and other motorists to avoid area until its stabilized. #N3 @policepicsclips pic.twitter.com/9u6hAjPTev
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 29, 2018
A similar protest erupted during the Easter weekend which prompted Police Minister Bheki Cele to visit the area. Various police units remain deployed in the area to monitor the situation.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area at all costs, and seek alternate routes. Holidaymakers returning from the long weekend are expected to make the journey home Monday.
#sabckzn #SABCNEWS A video showing trucks on fire. TheN-3 Mooi River road remain closed. Video supplied. pic.twitter.com/TWdvxR5Dib
— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) April 29, 2018
