It seems, after all, the national shutdown is not a social media trend.
Who is behind the national shutdown in Mpumalanga?
What started as a hashtag morphed into full-blown protests that broke out in some parts of Mpumalanga, on Wednesday.
Major routes in Mbombela and Nelspruit were closed off by an unknown group of drivers who illegally parked heavy-duty trucks and taxis in the middle of the N4 highway, which connects Mpumalanga to Maputo to the north, and Johannesburg to the south.
Key entry points to the Kruger National Park (KNP), a popular tourist destination, were also blocked by protesters. While no official civic organisation has come forward to claim responsibility of the national shutdown, it’s believed the group has taken to the streets in response to the recent petrol price increases for July 2022.
In a statement to News24, however, police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala claims taxi drivers are behind the shutdown, and that trucks are being forced to partake in the unrest.
“Taxi drivers are the ones behind the shutdown, but they used trucks to get their point across. Truck drivers were forced to park on the side of the road. What they [the suspects] would do is knock on the side of the truck and instruct the truck driver to park on the road,” Mohlala revealed.
The police confirmed that 15 arrests were made in Mpumalanga’s shutdown, on Wednesday.
Here’s where the shutdown is taking place on Thursday, 7 July 2022
However, this has done nothing to ease tensions, since more road closures linked to the national shutdown were reported in these parts of the province on Thursday:
- R536 route, near KNP (between Hazyview and the park’s Phabeni gate)
- R535 route, turn-off to Graskop
- Pienaar region in Ehlanzeni
- Lihawu region in Mbombela
Taxi operators are continuing with their protest in Mbombela and surrounding areas in Mpumalanga over fuel hikes. They've blockaded several roads leading to Mbombela. #Newzroom405's @mwelimasilela has more from Lihawu just outside Mbombela.
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 7, 2022
Watch: https://t.co/01RdOmDVVc pic.twitter.com/euLRWxm4WP
@TrafficSA R536 between Hazyview and phabeni gate closed.Police on site.#mpumalanga pic.twitter.com/fSm1XLWDfI
— EdwardTheGuide (@EdwardthembaSa) July 7, 2022
The current situation in Lihawu Mpumalanga. Protest action by taxi operators currently underway with roads blockaded. They want fuel prices to be reduced, roads fixed and issue of loadshedding attended to. #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/nYvIRE0VjM
— Mweli Masilela (@mwelimasilela) July 7, 2022
In Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), protests linked to the national shutdown broke out on Thursday morning. Here are the latest updates on road closures and routes to avoid:
- N3 highway on ramp from Cliffdale/Peacevale eastbound. All lanes blocked
- N2 northbound, 3.5km after ramp from Umhlanga southbound. Lanes blocked
- N3 highway eastbound after ramp to Peter Brown Drive. Multiple lanes blocked.
- N3 Northbound Between Cato Ridge I/C and Umlaas Road.
- R34 highway at the N2 intersection. All lanes blocked
- eSikhaleni/N2 intersection closed off to traffic by heavy-duty trucks
N3 near Richards Bay KZN was blockaded by truckers earlier this morning. They are protesting fuel hikes. The roads have now been cleared. pic.twitter.com/xus4sqPnRJ
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 7, 2022
Developing
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) July 7, 2022
Richards Bay joins the National Shutdown #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/HdQxa0sc62
We will keep updating this article with the latest national shutdown developments as they continue to trickle in.
