The N3 Toll Route remains closed to traffic between Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal to Heidelberg in Gauteng for the second day in a row due to ongoing protests.
The N3TC Toll management announced closures, and explained that roads are closed in the interest of safety and security for motorists. They also strongly advised road users to avoid the N3 toll route entirely until further notice.
After days of unrest and looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded the arrest of 489 people.
In a statement, police said: “As of the evening of 12 July at 20:00, a total of 489 people have been arrested in KwaZulu-Natal (166) and Gauteng (323).The NatJOINTS has welcomed the deployment of the South African National Defence Force personnel as announced by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa on 12 July 2021, in support of the operations of the South African Police Service.”
Police have intensified their presence in affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
“The continuation of the sporadic violent protests throughout the day and night have resulted in the increase in the number of fatalities, with three in KwaZulu-Natal and six in Gauteng. Four police officers who were injured while responding to these violent protests are recovering well,” said SAPS.
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