The N3 Toll Route has been brought to a complete standstill early on Friday morning after protesters allegedly forced truck drivers to block the highway near 42nd Hill, just outside Harrismith.
According to multiple drivers who spoke to SA Trucker, the situation unfolded when a group of masked men stopped trucks along the route and allegedly instructed drivers to park across both lanes of the freeway. The men then reportedly took the truck keys, leaving the vehicles immobilised and effectively shutting down traffic in both directions.
It’s not clear what the protest is about but preliminary info gathered from those at the scene suggests the strike is against the employment of immigrants in the trucking industry. However, that could not be immediately confirmed.
At this stage, there are no confirmed reports of drivers being assaulted or injured during the incident, but the situation remains tense on the ground.
The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) has confirmed a total road closure near the Harrismith North Interchange (Exit 34), with a truck obstructing the route at approximately the N3-7X 36.0 mark.
Traffic has since backed up heavily, with long queues reported on both sides of the closure.
Motorists travelling between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are currently stuck, with no immediate access through the affected section.
N3TC has urged road users to delay their trips and avoid the area until further notice, as emergency teams work to assess and stabilise the situation.
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Truckers on the route are advised to remain inside their vehicles where it is safe to do so and avoid confrontations, as law enforcement presence is expected to increase.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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