Two men who were arrested for illegally blockading the N3 road, targeting foreign drivers employed in the commercial trucking industry, are set to appear in the Vrede Magistrates’ Court, in the Free State, on 3 June.
The Free State police nabbed them on 2June after the mayhem which resulted in traffic coming to a complete standstill.
The suspects are 52 and 68 years old, respectively. The police’s initial investigation suggested foreign truck drivers were targeted during the road blockage on this significant arterial road in South Africa, particularly for trade and transport between Gauteng and Durban.
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the Free State police, said the suspects face preliminary charges of tampering with infrastructure and common robbery. He said that the keys of several freight trucks were reportedly taken by force from drivers, many of whom are foreign nationals.
“These trucks were left unattended without keys. The police received a call from the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) at approximately 06:30 yesterday that the N3 road was blocked both northbound and southbound, by more than 15 trucks.
“During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that a group of people stopped the trucks and then took the keys from the foreign truck drivers. The drivers allege that the group was accusing them of taking their jobs. Five foreign national drivers alleged that their cellphones were taken in the process.”
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the Free State police
Mophiring said traffic was opened after four hours following a joint operation undertaken by law enforcers that include private security and road management services. He said traffic was running normally this morning.
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