Labelling the destruction caused on the N3 near the Mooi River Toll Plaza last night as ‘totally unacceptable’, KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Bheki Langa has strongly condemned the unlawful protest action.

ALSO READ: BE CAUTIOUS: Protest action in progress on the N3 near Mooi Toll Plaza

Police have confirmed that a total of 35 trucks have been destroyed, including those that were torched.

“It is believed that the people who were protesting and throwing stones as well as burning objects had causing 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 charges of public violence,” said police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: N3 at Mooi Toll Plaza remains closed after trucks torched last night

The arrested people will be appearing in the Mooi River Magistrate’s Court later today.

“The situation is calm today although the road is still blocked due to the trucks that were burnt. Police are still monitoring the situation and are on high alert. Traffic is being diverted onto alternative routes for now,” added Col Mbhele.

Meanwhile Major General Bheki Langa said that police will intensify operations and ensure that those responsible will face the full might of the law.

“Any person who blocks our national roads will be treated as an ordinary criminal and will face the full might of the law. There are many avenues for people to voice their grievances and resorting to criminality is definitely not one of them,” he said.

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