The N3 has reopened, but a night of violent protest action and targeted truck attacks near Heidelberg and Vosloorus left multiple vehicles torched, gunshots fired, and one of South Africa’s busiest freight routes brought to a standstill.
The unrest erupted on Wednesday evening, 29 April, along the N3 between the R550 and R23 off-ramps, with disruptions spreading towards the stretch between the Jacob’s and Benoni interchanges.
At the height of the chaos, both northbound and southbound lanes were shut down as authorities scrambled to secure the scene.
Truck drivers caught in armed attacks
In a confirmed incident near Vosloorus, three trucks were set alight after suspects allegedly blocked the highway and opened fire on drivers in what police believe was an attempted hijacking.
According to authorities, the drivers came across vehicles obstructing the road. When they stopped, an unknown number of suspects began shooting at the trucks before setting them on fire. All three drivers managed to escape unharmed, but the trucks and their cargo were completely destroyed.
South African Police Service has opened cases of attempted murder and malicious damage to property. No arrests have been made at this stage.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni condemned the attack, warning that those responsible would be pursued and brought to justice.
Route blocked and trucks torched
Separate reports from the same night indicate that multiple trucks were also set alight further along the route, with gunshots heard as chaos unfolded.
Early information suggests that the road was deliberately blocked, forcing trucks to stop before attackers moved in.
Emergency services were dispatched, and law enforcement moved to close affected sections of the highway overnight to protect motorists and stabilise the situation.
According to the Gauteng Provincial Joint Operations Centre, protest activity completely blocked the N3 between key interchanges, causing major congestion and long delays.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
N3 reopened, but tensions remain
By early Thursday morning, 30 April, the situation had stabilised. At approximately 06:40, authorities confirmed that the N3 had been fully reopened in both directions and was safe for travel.
Clean-up operations are still ongoing, but are not currently affecting traffic flow.
However, motorists travelling through the area are advised to remain cautious, as debris and the aftermath of the incident may still pose hazards.
Cause still unclear
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the attacks were directly linked to protest action or organised criminal activity. The full extent of the damage is also still being assessed.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions within the trucking industry. While not officially confirmed, similar disruptions in recent weeks have been linked to grievances over the employment of foreign drivers.
The N3 is a critical economic lifeline between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, carrying a significant portion of the country’s freight.
Disruptions of this scale not only endanger lives but also place pressure on supply chains and the broader economy, while highlighting the growing risks faced by truck drivers operating on South Africa’s major routes.
The latest SA Trucking News straight to your inbox!
