WATCH | Multiple trucks set alight on Van Reenen's Pass ahead of ...

9 Jul 2023
The N3 highway has been closed at Van Reenen's Pass in KwaZulu-NatalThis after an armed gang set six trucks alight on Saturday night.Firefighters managed to douse the flames, and clean-up operations are currently under way.

KwaZulu-Natal police are hunting a group of armed suspects who forced six drivers to stop their trucks on Van Reenen's Pass on Saturday night, before setting the vehicles alight.

Van Reenen's Pass - Figure 1
Photo News24

The incident came just hours ahead of the second anniversary of the July 2021 unrest, which is being marked on Sunday.

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The July unrest saw widespread looting and riots, which left more than 350 people dead.

On Sunday, KZN police confirmed that the road has been closed to traffic since the incident.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said detectives are investigating a case of malicious damage to property.

Six trucks were set on fire on Van Reenen's Pass in KZN.

KZN police are looking for a group of armed suspects who forced six truck drivers out of their vehicles before setting it alight on Van Reenen's Pass.

Van Reenen's Pass - Figure 2
Photo News24

KZN police are looking for a group of armed suspects who forced six truck drivers out of their vehicles before setting it alight on Van Reenen's Pass.

Clean-up operations under way on Van Reenen's Pass in KZN after trucks were set alight.

"A large police deployment, including the Public Order Policing Unit, is monitoring the situation. The road is still closed at this stage," said Naicker.

He added that the motive for the attack is still unknown.

Arrive Alive also confirmed that the N3 highway is still closed.

Northbound traffic heading to Johannesburg is being stopped at Tugela Plaza, while southbound traffic heading to Durban is backed up at the top of Van Reenen's Pass.

Van Reenen's Pass - Figure 3
Photo News24

Relevant authorities and emergency services are on the scene and have secured the area, while the fires have been doused.

Clean-up and recovery operations are still under way.

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