ANGRY truck drivers have been protesting in KZN yet again.
This time, they were demonstrating against rising fuel costs.
Scores of motorists were stuck on the N3 freeway near Pietermaritzburg from Tuesday night to yesterday morning after drivers blockaded it.
The provincial transport department had to get cops to forcefully remove drivers from the scene while traffic officers towed their trucks away.
Transport department spokesman Kwanele Ncalane said both sides of the highway were closed between Tuesday and yesterday and offramps to Liberty Mall and the Pietermaritzburg CBD were also affected.
Ncalane said it was totally unacceptable for drivers to block the road if they had an issue. He said the highway was re-opened by 9am yesterday.
While cops were dealing with the blockade in Pietermaritzburg, another one took place on Higgins highway in Chatsworth, Durban.
“This is criminality and we have sent the police to go and arrest those responsible. Our traffic officials have been given clear instructions to remove these trucks by force,” he said.
KZN police spokeswoman Captain Nqobile Gwala said police arrested nine people and charged them with public violence. They will appear in court soon.
Truck drivers first blockaded the N3 freeway toll plaza in Mooi River over Easter Weekend, when 35 trucks were burned and looted. It happened again at the same toll plaza on 27 April, forcing government to intervene.
