Law enforcement officers working with emergency and recovery services have managed to re-open part of the highway linking Johannesburg and Durban that angry protesters had blocked, according to the company that manages the toll road.
Police said dozens of truck drivers had blocked the N3 highway on Wednesday at Van Reenen's Pass in Durban in protest against the employment of foreign nationals.
"N3 Toll Concession can now confirm that all lanes have been re-opened to traffic again at Van Reenen’s Pass," the company said on Thursday.
"Between 60 and 70 trucks had to be towed away after protesters blocked this national route."
The heavy vehicles had been stacked over a 10-km distance in both directions of the N3 route, forcing large volumes of traffic to be diverted.
"We expect busy traffic conditions today as the backlog of traffic continues to be cleared and request both truckers and motorists to be extra cautious and patient,” N3TC commercial manager Con Roux said.
