Motorists and truck drivers can finally move again after the N12 was fully reopened following yesterday’s major tanker fire in Johannesburg.
The highway was shut down on 19 April 2026 after a fatal collision involving a gas tanker led to a massive fire near the Comaro Road off-ramp in the Bassonia area. The incident caused chaos across the southern network, with traffic diverted and long delays hitting both commuters and freight operators hard.
According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, all lanes in both directions have now officially been reopened after emergency teams completed a complex and high-risk operation to stabilise the scene.
Crews worked through the night handling the decanting of the tanker, a delicate process to safely remove the remaining gas, before carrying out full mop-up operations. Authorities have confirmed the roadway is now safe for public use.
All previously enforced diversions, including those at the R59 Reading Interchange and Comaro Road, have been lifted.
For truckers running tight schedules, this will come as a big relief. The N12 is a critical route feeding into major freight corridors, and the shutdown caused serious knock-on effects across deliveries and turnaround times.
Officials have thanked emergency personnel for handling the situation under dangerous conditions, and also acknowledged the patience shown by motorists and residents in the southern suburbs during the closure.
While traffic is flowing again, drivers are still advised to approach the area with caution as residual delays may take time to clear.
No further details have been released yet regarding the cause of the initial crash or the fatality reported at the scene.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
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