Agri SA says citrus worth R15m on its way to Durban harbour for export was destroyed in protests on Friday by people calling for Jacob Zuma's release from prison.
"It's unacceptable," Christo van der Rheede, CEO of the federation of agricultural organisations, told the Sunday Times yesterday. "People have no right to hold the country at ransom — it's blatant interference with the judicial system."
A car carrier, a tanker containing an inflammable chemical and dozens more trucks were torched on the N3 yesterday and the day before. Violence and looting also spilt over into communities and businesses along the highway.
Police arrested 27 people linked to the protests. Provincial police spokesperson Brig Jay Naicker said they would be charged with public violence, business burglary, malicious damage to property and contravention of the lockdown regulations.
Twitter users accused Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, of inciting violence after she tweeted a video clip on Friday showing a poster of President Cyril Ramaphosa being shot at.
She also acknowledged violent protesters in various parts of the province, under the hash tag #FreeJacobZuma, with the words: "We See You!!! Amandla."
Naicker said police had issued a warning against using social media to fan violence.
KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate spokesperson Zinhle Mngomezulu yesterday urged motorists using the N3 to be alert. "They need to be vigilant because we really don't know how far this is going to go."
Mngomezulu said roads in the Mooi River central business district, about 1km from the Estcourt prison where Zuma is incarcerated, were blocked with burning tyres and debris yesterday.
She said 28 trucks, including the chemical tanker, were set on fire at the N3 toll gate near Mooi River on Friday night.
Mngomezulu said although no vehicles were set alight on the R103, an alternative route between Durban and Johannesburg, the road was blocked with debris.
"A truck was torched on the N2, near Mgababa, during the early hours of Friday. On the R603, a truck laden with logs was set alight in Ilovu North. Half of the load was burnt. It has since been removed.
"Six trucks were burned in Mfekayi on the N2 on Friday, and the incident overlapped to the early hours of today [Saturday]."
Mngomezulu said the N2 in Dokodweni, south of Richards Bay, was blocked with burning tyres and debris yesterday. "Roads in the Mooi River CBD were also blocked with burning tyres and debris, so was the R74 in Kranskop . as well as the R33 in Mattison [Pietermaritzburg]."
The vehicles are so badly burnt that owners who came to check can't even identify their own vehicles
— Jared Nicker, Nsele Emergency Services controller
Johan Jonck, editor of the Arrive Alive website, expressed outrage. "We are extremely agitated and disappointed that those involved in these illegal protests, arson, plundering and looting show no respect for the law and no understanding of the challenges that other innocent South Africans are faced with in their daily lives," he said.
Mary Phadi, president of the Truckers Association of SA, said if the protests continued for another week, truckers wouldn't be able to survive financially. "Unemployment will be on the rise."
She said the sector was just recovering from the lockdown. Drivers often entered their vehicles knowing that if a protest started they would not be able to escape.
Jared Nicker, a controller at Nsele Emergency Services, said the private security and medical rescue company in Mooi River had been busy non-stop since Friday.
"We heard between 30 and 40 explosions as trucks were burnt. They included a vehicle carrier full of expensive vehicles for export; one of the trucks contained chemicals. There was also gunshots as protesters used live ammunition to remove drivers from their trucks. Luckily none of them were hurt," Nicker said.
"The vehicles are so badly burnt that owners who came to check can't even identify their own vehicles," he said.
"The R103 continues to have a lot of traffic as trucks and other vehicles have been transferred to that route.
"In Estcourt, trucks have parked off waiting to get to the R103. Mooi River is out of bounds after the looting on Friday. The [CBD] is very dangerous at the moment and some trucks taking refuge in the residential areas are being pushed out by residents who are afraid the violence will end up on their doorsteps."
He said that late yesterday trucks were still being set on fire in Colenso and that protesters were regrouping in that area.
"The looting [in Mooi River] is under control but groups of people can be seen gathering again. On Friday they [looted] the Spar, Tops, a cellphone shop and a shoe shop in the town. The old KFC has also been vandalised."
Nkosentsha Shezi, leader of a group calling itself Radical Economic Champions that launched the "Free President Jacob Zuma" campaign on Friday, said yesterday protests would continue. But he denied his organisation was involved.
"I am not behind it," he said. "The campaign entails mass demonstrations on the streets within the confines of the law and adherence to Covid-19 regulations. We said we are going to roll out the protest action until [Zuma] is released from jail."
The ANC said yesterday it had instructed its leadership in the province and some members of its national executive committee to do what they could to stop the riots.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his roles both as president of the country and of the ruling party, condemned the violence.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.