NINE people have been arrested in the province following a national shutdown of the country’s major roads. Disgruntled residents took to the streets blockading freeways amid speculations of the fifth fuel hike in the past seven months. Last month petrol rose by 26 cents a litre. On Monday the Automobile Association (AA) said the price of fuel was likely to rise again at the end of July.
The Association was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.
The speculated increase is expected to come into effect at the end of July.
Read here: AA predicts another fuel increase
Motorists from all over the country are demanding that government looks into the petrol price urgently.
The provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate’s Zinhle Mngomezulu said, “Traffic was severely affected in the province. We have arrested 8 males and one female. They were handed over to the SAPS for further processing.”
Political parties have also weighed in on the matter with the Inkatha Freedom Party accusing the ANC government of ‘ twiddling its thumbs in taking any strong action against suspending the fuel levies’.
“Mbete outright refused to deem this matter as one of national importance and therefore all IFP structures will participate in the protest action to highlight the plight of millions of South Africans,” said the party.
Also read: Postal strike affects municipal bills
The N3 Sherwood west bound has come to a complete standstill due to the protest action while the N3 at Pietermaritzburg is completely blocked. Higginson Highway, Mariannhill Highway heading to Chatsworth is also blocked.
The clip shows a complete traffic standstill along the N3, west-bound near Sherwood.
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