Striking Truck Drivers Arrested, N3 Reopened To Traffic

The truck blockade at Van Reenen’s Pass on the N3 has been cleared and the freeway is open on both directions, the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) has confirmed.

Protesting truck drivers blockaded the
N3 in both directions since the early hours of Friday morning, forcing a lengthy traffic backlog.

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan, arrests have been made and the SAPS are currently dealing with the matter.

“Police at the scene are trying to clear the area,” said WO Khan.

The freeway was opened to traffic in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Read also: Maputo Corridor – Delays Cost Trucking Companies over R1.3 Billion

05h05 04/12 #N3TrafficUpdate: #N3Obstruction N3-6X Km 60 near #VanReenen. The scene has been cleared and the road is OPEN to traffic. Thank you for your patience.

— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) December 4, 2021

South African National Cargo Transport Drivers Association (SANCATDRA) President, Daniel Mofokeng, said they are protesting against the employment of foreign drivers.

The organisation says their members resorted to the action after their concerns went unheard.

Mofokeng accused government of doing nothing about the high unemployment rate.

“Who is actually causing the high unemployment rate? It is these foreigners and now the government is also standing on their sides whereas we are raising genuine issues. These people are even driving without valid permits and licences and our government is doing nothing about that. You know how many positions have been declared redundant because of the foreigners because once a foreigner has been employed they can multi-task, my brother. Now we don’t have people as assistants, that is what is happening there in the KZN area. These people are getting many and many in the industry.”