N2 at Pongola not opening for side tipper trucks says RTI

RTI has dismissed reports that the N2 at Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal would re-open to side tipper trucks on Monday 3 October 2022.

The RTI today (Sunday) said the N2 would remain closed to side-tippers after meetings were held between various parties this weekend.

Watch: Chased from the N2 Pongola, trucks cause havoc on R34/R66

According to reports, some trucks attempted to use the N2 route last night, but were turned away. Some were reportedly stoned.

The national route remains open to other trucks and vehicles.

Communities in the area where 20 people lost their lives in a collision between a side-tipper truck and a bakkie have, since the accident, banned these heavy-duty coal trucks from using the N2, forcing them to reroute via the R66/R34.

This has, in turn, placed immense strain on this secondary route, with some commuters reporting up to 50 trucks per hour on the R66/R34.

Mthonjaneni communities on Friday closed this route in protest against the high volume of trucks, appealing to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to make alternative arrangements.