UPDATE: M19 reopened to traffic following protest action
Updated | By ECR Newswatch
UPDATE: The M19 freeway has been reopened to traffic following protest action there this afternoon. eThekwini says both carriageways, heading towards Durban and Pinetown, have been cleared in the vicinity of Mountbatten Drive. Private security companies say there is still a police presence in the area. Find the original story below:
The busy route is off-limits to motorists.
Angry community members have barricaded the roadway with burning tyres and portable toilets, among other things.
Protest action on the M19 by the Shell Garage. #m19 #ProtestAction #durban pic.twitter.com/DSJiCXPhzE
— Jays (@Life_of_jays) April 23, 2018
eThekwini says both east and westbound carriageways are now affected.
ALSO READ: Protesters return to Umhlanga construction site
Protest action on the M19 on both bounds towards the Umgeni Road interchange, causing traffic on the interchange and on the N2 Southbound after the interchange. #KZNTraffic
— ECR Traffic (@ecrtraffic) April 23, 2018
The municipality is urging motorists to avoid the area.
Metro Police are on scene at the protest action off the M19 going towards Umgeni Road. Both sides are now affected. Avoid that area if possible. #SayNo2Violence #TrafficAlert pic.twitter.com/2O9XcywI6L
— eThekwini Muni (@eThekwiniM) April 23, 2018
Marshall Security's Kyle van Reenen says at least one person has been hurt after officers opened fire using rubber bullets.
He says Crisis Medical treated the man on scene before taking him to hospital.
The protest is believed to be over the demolition of informal houses in the area.
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