M19 protest affects motorists

TRAFFIC was severely affected on Monday morning when informal settlers protested and blocked roads, causing thousands of people to arrive late to work and school.

Umgeni Road towards Westville Road was closed in both directions. Police said the protesters took to the streets at around 2am on Monday, burning tyres and blocking the road.

This was the second time in less than two weeks that informal settlers blocked the M19.

Last week on Sunday, motorists were also affected as people who reside in the informal settlement along the M19 blocked roads after the heavy rains flooded their shacks.

Metro Police advised motorists to bypass the area and travel through Westville via spaghetti junction and the N3. Motorists travelling from Amanzimtoti to Durban were advised to use the M4.

Ward 23 councillor, Themba Mtshali, said he was not really sure what the residents’ grievances were.

“After last week’s protest I spoke to the community leaders to set up a meeting to try and solve whatever issues they had, but they did not seem interested in sitting and talking about it,” said Mtshali.

The M19 was opened around noon on Monday.