A key highway has been reopened following its closure for a week owing to the civil unrest that has been happening in parts of South Africa. The unrest started as a result of the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma last week. Over 20 trucks were burned at the Mooi River toll gate for the N3 highway where the riots originated from.
On Friday 7th July 2021, the N3 toll road was officially reopened to movement after being cleared of hindrances. Unruly groups of people are no longer tossing rocks and other obstacles to inhibit traffic. The 578-kilometer highway connects Johannesburg, the country’s biggest city and commercial centre point, to the port of Durban.
South Africa’s armed forces is scheduled to be on patrol at the highway. The military plans to deploy 25,000 troops to assist the police suppress the turbulence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. Drivers have however been advised to be very cautious when using the road.
“It is vitally important to proceed with extreme caution and to stay alert at all times,” said the highway authority in a tweet.
Read: DWS calls on KZN residents to Avoid Water Infrastructure Vandalism
Motorists have been cautioned by the Automobile Association against using the N3 and other KwaZulu-Natal roads unless it’s really necessary.
The reopening of this significant highway is an important action in working towards returning the country to stability. Despite that parts of KwaZulu-Natal as well as Durban remain marred with violence, with warehouses and factories being burned.
The military is working to maintain the newly reopened N2 highway passable and free from chaos. The highway is an important transport route in terms of transit of fuel, food and other commodities. Closing it therefore is likely to cause shortages of these supplies.
So far, over 2,200 people have been arrested and charged for vandalism and theft and 117 people have lost their lives according to Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, acting minister in the presidency.
