By Kopano Dibakwane
Service delivery protests have severely affected the TRAC N4 Route between Balmoral Interchange and the N4/N12 split near Emalahleni this week.
According to a statement released by TRAC communications manager Solange Soares, the protests started on Tuesday evening and took a violent turn, forcing TRACAssist to close the affected section of the road as a precautionary safety measure.
Protesters reportedly blockaded the road with burnt trucks and other objects.
” As the concessionaires of the N4 Route, TRAC has no law enforcement authority and since the protests started we have been in close contact with law enforcement agencies who have been, and still are, on scene. TRACAssist teams are on site assisting with traffic management and directing road users to alternative routes,” said Soares.
Additionally, Soares said that TRAC respects the right to peaceful protests, as per the South African constitution, however, condemns demonstrations which pose a safety and security threat to road users and cause damage to property.
Road users are urged to avoid the affected area while the situation persists, also until the differences between protesters and the entities they are dissatisfied with are resolved. TRAC furthermore urged road users to use the following alternative routes to reach their respective destinations:
Westbound (towards Tshwane)
* After Middleburg Plaza take the N12 at the N4/N12 split, then take the Delmas off ramp which leads to Bronkhorspruit (R42) from where the N4 can be reached again.
Eastbound( towards Maputo)
* Take the Bronkhorspruit interchange (R42) towards Delmas, then join the N12 which joins the N4 just before the Middleburg Plaza.
” We apologise to our road users for any inconvenience caused and commit to continue putting their safety first in such situations. Road users requiring real time information are urged to follow @TRACN4Route on Twitter or call TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in South Africa on 0800 87 22 64(toll-free) or 082 881 4444 and in Mozambique on 0800 9022,” said Soares.
