NKZN: Turmoil erupts as ‘Free Zuma’ protests shut down parts of KZN

Turmoil has erupted on roads across KZN since yesterday (July 9), going into today (Saturday, July 10), with former President Jacob Zuma’s supporters taking their protests to the streets of KZN in a bid to have him released from prison.

ESTCOURT AND MOOI RIVER:

On the N3 at the Mooi River Toll Plaza, protest action turned violent last night going into this morning, with over 20 trucks being burnt. The N3 at Mooi River remains closed, as some of the trucks are still burning and clean-up operations continue.

LADYSMITH:

This morning (July 10), roads leading in and out of Ladysmith are open to traffic, with swift clean-up operations having taken place yesterday evening after the N11 and R103 roads were closed by protesters, with burning tyres all across the roadway. An update just in is that Helpmekaar Road is currently closed, so be cautious.

NEWCASTLE:

The N11, from Newcastle to Ladysmith, is clear at this moment. Other roads leading in and out of Newcastle are also currently clear of any protest action.

DUNDEE:

The area in and around Dundee is clear at present. However, not all roads into Nquthu are accessible at this time. The ongoing taxi dispute, which has seen roads in the area blocked in recent days, is now being fuelled by the ‘Free Zuma’ protests, making the situation even more volatile. 

DANNHAUSER:

Roads leading in and out of town are currently clear of any protest action. However, an image has been circulating on social media, calling for members to mobilise on Monday morning (July 12) as part of the #ShutdownKZN action. 

VRYHEID:

Reports have been received that the road is closed at Ndundulo (Nkwalini) after Melmoth, before the Empangeni road. However, there are no reports of protest action in and around the Vryheid area. The Dundee/Vryheid road is also clear.

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala has called for calm and maximum adherence to the rule of law amid growing threats to shut down the province through violent protests.

Police say a comprehensive multi-disciplinary provincial security plan has been developed and all law enforcement agencies are on high alert as they attend to this unfortunate and unlawful situation taking place in the province.

Premier Zikalala also cautioned about the impact of illegal gatherings under Adjusted Risk Level-4 and the impact on Covid-19 infections. Health experts have warned that the rate of infection in the province has now hit double digits in the majority of the districts.

KWAZULU-NATAL POLICE ARE ON HIGH ALERT FOLLOWING SPORADIC VIOLENT PROTESTS IN THE PROVINCE

Bridger Jay Naicker explained that the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner has mobilised police officers from across KZN to be deployed in all districts in the province. These police officers will be deployed along major routes and key points within each district to deal with criminal elements that are responsible for recent incidents of lawlessness.

Police will be focusing on enforcing the regulations of the Disaster Management Act and more especially, the convening of illegal gatherings, as well as those that are not observing curfew regulations. A large number of people have already been arrested for incidents of criminality witnessed in the province yesterday, and cases have been registered to trace and arrest those who still have to be arrested.

A number of incidents were witnessed of people who are opportunistic and used the protest to enrich themselves by looting shops and other businesses. Police will not tolerate such incidents of criminality and will be dealing harshly with those found flouting the law.

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