An All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDF-ASA) national office bearer has been arrested after police linked him to an alleged attempt to disrupt traffic on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal and the stoning of a long-distance bus.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers conducting patrols on the N3 southbound near Bergville during the early hours of Saturday, 30 May 2026, encountered heavy traffic that had slowed to a standstill.
Police said they investigated and found approximately ten people allegedly stopping trucks on the highway.
Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects reportedly fled into nearby bushes, abandoning a white Isuzu bakkie with all its doors open.
Preliminary investigations allegedly revealed that the vehicle belongs to a prominent ATDF-ASA office bearer. Police said they discovered an ATDF-ASA banner and stones inside the abandoned bakkie.
While officers were still at the scene, they reportedly spotted a suspicious white VW Polo travelling on the N3 northbound. Police followed the vehicle and allegedly found that it had arrived to collect the owner of the abandoned bakkie.
Read | Truck Blockade Hotspots on the N3 and Other Major Routes as ATDF-ASA Strike Looms
The driver of the Polo and a passenger, both identified by police as truck drivers, were arrested together with the owner of the Isuzu bakkie.
SAPS further alleged that the bakkie owner could be linked to the stoning of a bus near the N3 Colenso Interchange shortly before his arrest.
The three suspects were being processed by police on Saturday morning, and authorities indicated that additional charges could still be added as investigations continue.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the arrested ATDF-ASA office bearer is believed to be the organisation’s Secretary General, Gugu Sokhela. SAPS has not officially identified the suspect by name at the time of publication, and SA Trucker has not independently verified the identity.
Earlier this week, Sokhela appeared on the SABC where he confirmed that ATDF-aASA intended staging action that could result in disruptions along major freight routes, including the N3. During the interview, he reportedly stated that the organisation’s planned actions would not involve violence. Police are continuing their investigation into Saturday’s incidents and any potential links to the previously announced protest action.
The arrests come amid heightened concern over planned trucking-related protests and shutdown calls that have circulated on social media in recent days. Law enforcement agencies have maintained a visible presence on key freight routes, including the N3 corridor, to prevent disruptions and ensure the safety of road users.
At this stage, the allegations remain under investigation and the suspects have not yet appeared in court. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
SA Trucker has approached ATDF-ASA for comment and will update this article should a response be received.
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