Police in South Africa have arrested Fifty-four people following violent protest in KwaZulu-Natal in which some 35 trucks were set on fire on the N3 freeway near the Mooi River toll plaza.
The incident occurred on Sunday night and KZN police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele has said that the attack was carried out by a gang that threw objects on the highway and setting some trucks alight.
According to local media the violence was in response to the employment of foreign nationals as truck drivers.
Mbhele said “It is believed that the people who were protesting and throwing stones as well as burning objects had caused extensive damages to property.”
“Local police and neighbouring police stations were mobilised and dispersed a number of people who were looting the burning trucks. A total of 54 people were arrested and will face charge of public violence,” Mbhele added.
Mbhele told the media that the situation is now under control but the road where the incident occurred was still blocked.
“Police are still monitoring the situation and are on high alert. Traffic is being diverted onto alternative routes for now,” said Mbhele.
The acting provincial commission for KZN Major General Bheki Langa has condemned the incident saying “This is totally unacceptable and we will not condone people venting their anger by damaging private and public property or blockading our national roads”.
Source: Africafeeds.com
