The South African Cargo Transport Drivers Association (SACTDA) claims that truck drivers who have blocked the N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are protesting against the employment of foreign drivers.

Trucks closed off the highway in both directions since the early hours of Friday morning, forcing a lengthy traffic backlog.

Police at the scene are trying to clear the area.

The organisation says their members resorted to the action after their concerns went unheard.

President of the South African Cargo Transport Drivers Association, Daniel Mofokeng, accused government of doing nothing about the high unemployment rate.

“Who is actually causing the high unemployment rate? It is these foreigners and now the government is also standing on their sides whereas we are raising genuine issues. These people are even driving without valid permits and licences and our government is doing nothing about that. You know how many positions have been declared redundant because of the foreigners because once a foreigner has been employed they can multi-task, my brother. Now we don’t have people as assistants, that is what is happening there in the KZN area. These people are getting many and many in the industry.”