LATEST: Protesters arrested, highway cleared
Officers are also negotiating with other protesters to clear the road.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/10/traffic3.jpg)
A number of protesters were arrested on the R21 and R24 highways near OR Tambo International Airport this morning.
The highway has now been re-opened.
This follows protests which closed the highways from around 4am.
While the reason for the protests is not yet known, SAPS have confirmed that meter taxi drivers were involved.
Also read:Â UPDATE: No time frame given for reopening of R24 and R21 highways
Earlier officers were also negotiating with other protesters to clear the road.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department‘s Kobedi Mokheseng urged motorists to avoid the area.
He also said metered taxi drivers parked their vehicles in the middle of the freeway and abandoned them.
Tow truck services were deployed to the affected highways to remove abandoned cars barricading the roads.
Also read:Â #TrafficUpdate: R21 and R24 highways closed due to strike
#HighwayProtest Police say they have arrested more than 10 people on the R21 highway for public violence.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 27, 2017
Update) Protest Action on R24 Westbound at Barbara Rd is Re-opened. pic.twitter.com/BRBdbOMxoK
— ITRAFFIC (GP) (@itrafficgp) October 27, 2017
Protesters arrested following blockade near OR Tambo International Airport https://t.co/QQbP6x1Pfd pic.twitter.com/0o3tZa1ijc
— Eyewitness News (@ewnupdates) October 27, 2017