With traffic authorities barely managing to reopen main highways such as the N3 between Swinburne and Montrose south of Harrismith because of truckers blockading roads due to labour action, transporters are advised to plan their routes cautiously.
This after the N10 and N9 in the Eastern Cape were barricaded by trucks on Sunday in objection to the presence of foreign national drivers working in South Africa’s road freight sector – an old gripe.
In support of Sunday’s 24-hour blockade, resolved thanks to ministerial action, the All Truck Drivers’ Foundation (ATDF) and one of its consorts, Allied South Africa (ASA), proceeded to stage a protest on the N3.
Although peaceful, the blockade disrupted traffic on South Africa’s main supply chain artery between Gauteng and the Port of Durban.
Word from the transport community this morning is that the N3 is under control, but that only one lane is open.
Transporters are advised to avoid the N3 until the backlog has been dealt with.
Hauliers are also advised to remain vigilant of potential ATDF ASA protest action on the following routes:
- Western Cape (N1 between Kraaifontein (Cape Town) and Touws River; the N2 between Bonteheuwel (Cape Town) and Sir Lowry's Pass; and the N7 between Milnerton (Cape Town) and Citrusdal).
- Eastern Cape (N9 and N10 in Cradock and Middleburg), Uitenhage Road/R75 in Ibhayi; Grahamstown Road/Rl02 between Swartkops and Markman Industrial Gqeberha); and the N2 between Deal Party (Gqeberha) and Colchester).
- KwaZulu-Natal (north-south between Durban and Van Reenen (specifically in the vicinity of Mpumalanga, Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Mooi River, Estcourt and Ladysmith); Durban (in the vicinity of Prospecton, Mobeni, Rossburgh, Umbilo, Bayhead and Durban Central along the N2, M4, South Coast Road/R102 and M7); R102 near KwaGingindlovu; N2 between KwaGingindlovu and Mtubatuba; as well as the N11 between Ladysmith and Volksrust (Mpumalanga).
- Mpumalanga (N2 between Pongola Kwazulu-Natal) and Ermelo (Mpumalanga; N11 near Ermelo; several roads in the vicinity of Kriel, Ogies, Emalahleni, Middelburg, Bethal, Evander, Delmas, Standerton and Hendrina; as well as the N4 between Komatipoort and Mbombela).
- Free State (N3 and N5 in Harrismith as well as the N9 in Noupoor: and Colesberg).
- Gauteng (N3 between Heidelberg and Vosloorus; several roads in the vicinity of Alrode and Alberante (Alberton), Leondale, Roodekop and Wadeville (Germiston); and roads in the vicinity of City Deep).
- Limpopo (R555 between Stofberg and Burgersfort, as well as the R37 between Burgersfort and Lydenburg (Mpumalanga).
- North West (R30 and 8502 near Orkney).
- Northern Cape (N14 near Kuruman).
For the updated security status of roads in South Africa, check with the Road Traffic Information (RTI) unit of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
On Twitter: @TrafficRTMC.
On Facebook: RTMC
Be safe on roads. Plan ahead.
