Durban – Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested the All Truck Driver Forum South Africa (ATDF-SA) national office bearer for inciting violence along the N3 southbound in Bergville.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the arrest was made in the early hours of Saturday, 30 May 2026.
Colonel Netshiunda said police were conducting patrols along the N3 when they noticed traffic moving slowly and eventually coming to a standstill.
“Police went to investigate and found that there were about 10 people who were stopping trucks,” the spokesperson said.
“Realising the presence of the police, the suspects fled into the bushes and abandoned their vehicle, a white Isuzu bakkie, leaving all doors open.”
Preliminary investigations uncovered that the bakkie belonged to a prominent ATDF-SA office bearer.
Inside the bakkie, police found an ATDF-SA banner and stones.
While at the scene, a suspicious white VW Polo was spotted on the N3 northbound.
“Police followed it up and found that it had come to pick up the owner of the abandoned bakkie,” Colonel Netshiunda said.
“The driver of the Polo and his passenger, both identified as truck drivers, were arrested together with the driver of the bakkie they had come to rescue.
“The bakkie owner could be linked with the stoning of a bus on the N3 Colenso interchange, moments before he was arrested.”
The suspects were being processed, and more charges could be added.
Earlier this month, ATDF-SA announced a protest planned for today, Saturday, 30 May 2026, on major routes N2 and N3.
The grievances include opposition to the employment of undocumented foreign nationals in the trucking industry, poor enforcement of labour/immigration laws, and concerns over the upcoming Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences demerit system.
