LISTEN: Witness describes N3 protest, at Mooi River
Updated | By Bernadette Wolhuter
A Pretoria man who was caught up in the violent riots that engulfed the Mooi River Toll Plaza last night says he felt like he was watching a movie.
The unrest saw the forced closure of the busy thoroughfare which connects KwaZulu-Natal with Gauteng.
Eighteen trucks were torched and fifty-four people were arrested.
It's the second uprising at the plaza in a month.
Lebogang Matlhaba spent the weekend helping his girlfriend with a move to the coast and he was en route home when he came upon the anarchy.
"We were driving very slowly and noticed that on our right hand side that there were a lot people going up and down. We noticed one of the trucks moving - only to find that it was one of the protesters driving it. One of the guys got into a second truck and deliberately crashed into the barricades on the side just to block the road. They were doing it strategically," he said.
UPDATE: Clean-up operations underway on N3
The N3 Toll Concession says the fast lane of the northbound carriageway - that's headed to Johannesburg - has been re-opened. All other lanes remain closed for recovery operations.
Listen to Newswatch journalist, Bernadette Wolhuter's full interview with Lebogang Matlhaba.
Show's Stories
-
Chinese sightseeing destination looking to hire a Monkey King
You can be a Monkey King for an easy R15k a month.
Carol Ofori 9 hours ago -
Woman shows us what she does when dating apps don't work
We guess this method of finding the one is worth the risk...
Vic Naidoo 9 hours ago