Protests rock Durban and Pietermaritzburg, as traffic severely affected

KwaZulu-Natal has become something of a battlefield overnight, as multiple protests in two major cities have brought traffic to a standstill on major commuter routes. Both Durban and Pietermaritzburg are experiencing the full wrath of demonstrations, with roads being obstructed and tyres getting burnt.

Protest action and traffic updates for Durban on Wednesday 15 May

A protest involving trucks and drivers has engulfed the Bayhead region, with Langerberg Road also completely out of action. In a week where the safety of our truck drivers has come under intense scrutiny, it’s understood that they are demanding better work conditions and guarantees about their security behind the wheel:

Bayhead and Langerberg Rd is completely obstructed by trucks. Avoid this area. #KZNTraffic
Photo Credit: Durban Traffic pic.twitter.com/svfvaLqyc8

— ECR Traffic (@ecrtraffic) May 15, 2019

Other reported problems in Durban include:

• Hold-ups on the N2 Northbound at KwaMashu on-ramp in the right lane – vehicle accident.
• Accident on N2 Northbound at Adam’s Road.
• R603 is Closed at Eston Road on Umbumbulu Highway due to protest action.

Latest news on Pietermaritzburg protests and traffic updates for Wednesday 15 May

Meanwhile, the whole CBD of Pietermaritzburg is currently shutdown as protesters have staged their demonstrations in the heart of the town. Service delivery has long been lacking in the Msunduzi municipality, and angered locals have expressed their contempt by burning tyres and forming a blockade on key routes into the city:

KZN – Pietermaritzburg CBD: #ProtestAction (Update): Church Street / East Street area pic.twitter.com/NuY5FGiIRY

— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) May 15, 2019

The list of closed and affected streets include:

• Church and East Street are both severely impacted, as is Chota Matola. It’s not advised you travel on these roads.
• Umbumbulu road, from Pietermaritzburg Old Road from south to Pietermaritzburg Road is closed. Motorists are being “turned away” as they approach from Winkelspruit.
• There’s also protest action on the R56 at Thornville.

PMB CBD A NO-GO ZONE. PROTESTORS HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS & HAVE BLOCKED SEVERAL STREETS. AVOID!!! pic.twitter.com/A3zl3tvqUB

— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) May 15, 2019