Police have had their hands full since former president Jacob Zuma's incarceration this week. Crowds took to the streets in protest.
The N3 near Mooi River remained closed on Saturday morning
after vehicles, including a tanker and a car carrier, were set alight on Friday
night.
Thania Dhoogra, the operations manager of the N3 Toll
Concession (N3TC), advised motorists to use alternative routes while recovery
and cleanup operations continued.
N3TC manages a 415km section of the N3 toll route between
Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg in Gauteng.
“Cleanup operations are now under way on the N3 toll route
in the vicinity of the Mooi toll plaza in KZN following last night’s violent
protests,” said Dhoogra.
“Protesters torched 23 heavy motor vehicles on the N3 near
Mooi River, including a tanker carrying a highly inflammable substance (methyl
ethyl ketone) and a car carrier.”
Dhoogra said no-one was injured
“Light motor vehicles heading northbound, towards Gauteng
are being diverted at Midmar then back onto the N3 at Treverton. In a
southbound direction, towards Durban, light motor vehicles are diverted around
Mooi River from Midway to Nottingham Road. Heavy motor vehicles are stacked at
the scene.”
Dhoogra said traffic delays would continue throughout the
day and warned motorists to be vigilant.
“Road users are warned to continue to expect slow-moving traffic and heavy congestion throughout the day. N3TC extends its gratitude to all law enforcement officers and emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night to restore law and order, and who are now continuing to assist with cleanup operations,” said Dhoogra.
The office of the provincial police commissioner said cops
were on “high alert” after the protests. In a statement, the office said the
commissioner had “mobilised police officers from across the province to be
deployed in all districts in the province”.
The statement added: “These police officers will be
deployed along major routes and key points within each district to deal with
criminal elements that are responsible for recent incidents of lawlessness.”
Police said they would ensure the regulations aimed at
curbing the spread of Covid-19 are adhered to.
“We will be focusing on enforcing the regulations of the
Disaster Management Act, more especially the convening of illegal gatherings as
well as those that are not observing curfew regulations. Times
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