Protesters burnt trucks parked at the Mooi River Toll Plaza during the unrest two weeks ago. [Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi/African News Agency (ANA)]
PIETERMARITZBURG – Agricultural unions in KwaZulu-Natal have called for the relocation, or removal, of the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3, citing the risk its location places on the KwaZulu-Natal economy due to frequent disruptions during unrest.
The KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) made the call to Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza in light of safety concerns and the economic impact of the toll’s closure during the latest wave of unrest which unfolded two weeks ago.
The Mooi River Toll Plaza is located on the N3 Toll Route near the town of Mooi River. The strategic route links the port city of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, and South Africa’s economic powerhouse city of Johannesburg, in Gauteng. The route has suffered severe disruptions and has become a frequent target during violent protests.
Speaking to Salaamedia, CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (AGBiz), Dr. John Purchase, said that beefing up security at the toll would not be sufficient. He said: “I certainly do believe that you can improve the security in various ways [but] I think it would be better to move it away, from a security security point of view”.
The area experiences frequent protests due to the high levels of unemployment and poverty. These protests tend to turn violent at times, with protestors often torching trucks at the toll plaza. Purchase explained that the toll’s current location, directly next to an informal settlement, makes it vulnerable to these violent protests.
Agricultural unions are concerned that the closure of this important route, due to protests, would have a serious impact on the province’s economy.
CEO of the KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu), Sandy La Marque, said: “This has been an ongoing problem. The closure of the toll plaza during the unrest isn’t something we haven’t experienced before. The location of it is jeopardised, and is a catalyst for unrest, a soft-spot, and an identified risk for anyone moving goods or services through it”.
Watch the full discussion here:
