Motorists making using of the N3 highway have been advised by police to use alternative routes this morning as there is still debris from protests where trucks were set alight on Sunday night.
“The situation is calm today although the road is still blocked due to the trucks that were burnt. Police are still monitoring the situation and are on high alert. Traffic is being diverted onto alternative routes for now,” said KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa.
The blockages follow protests along the N3 freeway near the Mooi River Toll Plaza last night, which left 35 trucks damaged.
“Last night at 19:30, a group of people began throwing objects on the N3 freeway and set some trucks alight.
“It is believed that the people who were protesting and throwing stones as well as burning objects had caused extensive damage to property. Local police and neighbouring police stations were mobilised and dispersed a number of people who were looting the burning trucks,” said Langa.
He condemned the protests and warned that those engaging in acts of criminality would face the full wrath of the law.
“This is totally unacceptable and we will not condone people venting their anger by damaging private and public property or blockading our national roads. We will intensify our operations and ensure that those responsible face the full might of the law. Any person who blocks our national roads will be treated as an ordinary criminal and will face the full might of the law. There are many avenues for people to voice their grievances and resorting to criminality is definitely not one of them,” he said.
A total of 54 people were arrested in connection with the chaos that transpired and will face charges of public violence. The arrested suspects will appear at the Mooi River Magistrates’ Court later today. – SAnews.gov.za
