South Africa: Protests by truck drivers may impact parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces through early November /update 1

Event

Disruptions related to a truck driver's protest may continue in parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces through early November. Truck drivers are protesting against foreign nationals working in the trucking industry as drivers. Protesters have demanded to speak to the country's minister of transport. As of the afternoon Oct. 26, truck drivers continue to block part of the N3 highway near Harrismith (Free State Province) and Van Reenen Pass (KwaZulu-Natal Province), causing significant road travel disruptions between Durban and Gauteng Province. Security forces have reportedly deployed to monitor the protest. Officials have urged motorists to postpone travel between Gauteng Province and KwaZulu-Natal Province.

A heightened security presence and traffic disruptions are likely near protest sites. Protesting truck drivers may also block other nearby routes, including the N11. Attacks targeting truck drivers not participating in the action or foreign truck drivers are possible. Furthermore, clashes between the protesting drivers and the police are possible if demonstrators ignore police orders to disperse or if they engage in acts of public violence.

Context

A similar protest action occurred in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces, Oct. 24-25, and further related action is possible there through early November. The truck driver's grievance is longstanding. The protests precede a nationwide municipal election, Nov. 1. Protest organizers are likely seeking to extract concessions from officials before the vote. As such, further protests are likely in the locations mentioned above and, possibly, nationwide in the coming days.

Advice

Reconfirm the status of road routes in the impacted area before departure. Plan for significant road travel delays during protest periods. Avoid all protests and do not attempt to drive through roadblocks until police clear them.