WATCH: Trouble explodes on N4 at Lebombo Border Post and traffic is backed up past Hectorspruit
The N4 leading to the Lebombo Border Post is currently gridlocked with trucks. The drivers are reportedly protesting. Motorists have been urged to avoid the area at all costs by the Malelane Community Policing Forum.
Traffic towards the Lebombo Border Post on the N4 has come a complete standstill with the road reportedly blocked off by protesting truck drivers.
The backlog of traffic started last night already, November 16, with a reported queue of up to 37km long. Today, November 17, the situation appears to have worsened.
The Malelane Community Policing Forum (CPF) has urged motorists to avoid the area “at all costs”.
“At this stage the Marloth and Tenbosch routes appear to be open to light traffic, with the protests limited to the N4 nearing Komatipoort only,” said Mel Preddy of the CPF.
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“The back of the truck queue is between Malelane and Hectorspruit. Keep to a safe speed when alongside the queue. This means no more than 80km/h, regardless of what the speed limit allows,” he said.
A Lowvelder reporter is currently on the scene. Truck drivers told Lowvelder that they will not clear their trucks off the road until they get positive feedback from the Lebombo Border Post management.
It was reported that the drivers are not happy with the way the system is working. There is currently a meeting between the drivers, traffic officers, border management and the police being held. Lowvelder is attending the meeting.
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The drivers have shared with authorities that their two main grievances are that they don’t want the taxi association patrolling the N4, and they want an more efficient system at the border. The meeting is ongoing.
There have also been reports that two vehicles, believed to belong to the Lebombo Taxi Association, were burned and that a truck driver was shot in the leg.
Lowvelder has sent media queries to the Border Management Authority (BMA), the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), and the Mpumalanga SAPS.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, directed all questions to the DCSSL. Both the BMA and the DCSSL said they would respond to the queries soon.
