The N3 freight corridor was brought to a standstill on Wednesday night into early Thursday morning after multiple trucks were shot at and others set alight between Heidelberg and Vosloorus, sparking fresh fears over driver safety on one of South Africa’s busiest routes.
The latest violence is believed to be linked to a similar incident last week, when a truck driver was shot and injured on the same stretch of road while another escaped unharmed.
In the most recent attack, multiple gunshots were reported before at least two trucks were torched. Early reports indicate that the road was deliberately blocked with objects, forcing trucks to stop.
Armed men then allegedly emerged from nearby bushes, fired shots into the air, and set the vehicles alight. The total number of trucks damaged remains unclear, and no injuries have been confirmed in this incident.
The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operations Centre (JOC) confirmed protest activity along the route, warning motorists of disruptions between the R23 and R550 in the Overkruin and Spaarwater areas.
In a social media update, the JOC said the N3 had been blocked by protesters and urged road users to avoid the route while law enforcement responds to stabilise the situation.
The unrest is raising concerns about ongoing tensions within the trucking industry. While not officially confirmed, early indications suggest the incidents could be linked to grievances over the employment of foreign drivers, an issue that has previously triggered violent disruptions along key freight corridors.
On 10 April 2026, a similar protest near Harrismith brought traffic to a complete halt after trucks were allegedly forced to block both lanes of the highway. Two trucks were burned in that incident. Drivers told SA Trucker that masked men stopped vehicles, removed keys, and used trucks to shut down the route for several hours.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the latest attacks, and investigations are expected to determine whether the shootings and truck burnings are directly linked.
Truck drivers travelling along the N3 are being urged to remain inside their vehicles where it is safe to do so, avoid confrontations, and stay alert. With tensions escalating along this critical transport route, the situation remains volatile and unpredictable.
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