WATCH: Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg gutted by fire, major routes closed

We've been told that a massive fire is raging at Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg .

The RTI's Zinhle Mngomezulu says they are currently closing New-England Road.

"Reason being, Brookside Mall is still burning and we were made to understand is that gases might burst. Now we are trying to protect motorists, We are closing the freeway in that area.

"Proceeding up north, Tweedie is also closed. If you are travelling from Joburg to Durban, it is not going to be easy."

Several areas have come to a complete standstill and roads closed as looters and rioters run amok in the province.

Mngomezulu says there are also issues on the N2.

"We got Umgababa, Umkhomasi and R102 closed to traffic so it means Port Shepstone and Durban is kind of separated. You can't go through there. Because you got the N2 Umkhomasi, Umgababa and the alternative route which is R102 closed to traffic by protesters."

Since Friday, demonstrations against the jailing of former president, Jacob Zuma, have spiraled out of control and spread to Gauteng. 

With disruptive protests intensifying this morning, some shops in the province have decided not to trade today. The Pavilion shopping centre says all its shops have closed their doors.

If you rely on public transport in KZN, it's best you stay at home. 

Taxi association, Santaco's confirmed it's parked its taxis, over safety fears amid the civil unrest. In Durban, eThekwini's municipal bus service isn't running as well.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court's about to start hearing Jacob Zuma's urgent application to rescind its contempt of court verdict and 15 month prison sentence.