64 arrested after trucks set alight in N3 protest

The police's Thembeka Mbhele says while traffic's being diverted at Mooi River, more than 20 badly damaged vehicles are being removed from the national route. 

"Last night, more than 22 trucks were set alight on the N3 at Mooi River along the road. A case of public violence has been opened and police are still on scene," Mbhele said. 

Visitors planning on driving back to Gauteng today are being urged to exercise caution on the N3.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: M19 reopened to traffic following protest action

The N3 Toll Concession's Con Roux says that a massive clean up operation's underway in that area, following last night's violent protest action by group of people who appeared to have been targeting truck drivers. 

"The N3 itself is still closed because of last night's protest action. Motorists heading from KwaZulu-Natal towards Gauteng will be diverted at Mooi Plaza onto the R103 which will take you through to Escort and at Escort, you will rejoin the N3," Roux said.  

Sarah Barrett, who is with Nsele Emergency Services, says they first received an alert about the protest action after 7pm yesterday.

"An unknown amount of protesters blocked the N3 highway above Mooi River and set fire to the trucks when they came to a halt. This spilt over to the R103 - causing a bit of chaos," she said.  

She says the police and other road authorities worked quickly to bring the demonstrations under control. 

"A lot of the trucks were burnt down to ashes. I believe there was a petrol tanker also involved," she said.

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