Trucks torched on N3 in KZN: Armed gang to blame

The Van Reenen’s Pass on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal has been reopened after the road was closed following the torching of six trucks late last night, towards the early hours this morning. The Road Freight Association (RFA) is investigating what lead to the arson.

According to reports, six trucks were set alight by several armed men who then fled the scene.

Also Read: 6 trucks set alight on N3 in Van Reenen’s Pass

The N3 Toll Route was closed and northbound traffic heading to Johannesburg was stopped at Tugela Plaza, while southbound traffic heading to Durban was stacked at the top of Van Reenen’s Pass.

Clean-up and recovery operations commenced immediately after the fire was doused. The road has since been reopened and motorists can expect heavy delays.

12h01 09/07 #N3VehicleFireUpdate: N3 6X 53.4 N #N3JoburgBound along #VanReenenPass. Recovery and clean up still in progress. Traffic is being accommodated using contraflow on the #DurbanBound. Please expect delays in the area. 00976 (04

— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) July 9, 2023

No injuries were reported during the fire.

RFA chief executive Gavin Kelly says the motive for the attack is unknown.

Kelly says the trucks were not looted which could be a sign that the incident was planned for a particular reason.

“The drivers were simply told to get out of the vehicles and the trucks were set alight. We are trying to find out who the operators [companies] are so that we can get a better understanding of the situation,” says Kelly.

Van Reenen police are investigating a case of malicious damage to property.

A large police deployment including the Public Order Policing Unit is monitoring the situation.