ATDF-SA Leader Arrested for Alleged Role in N3 Violence

The arrest follows a police operation that uncovered suspected attempts to disrupt traffic and target trucks on one of the country's busiest transport routes.

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a national office bearer of the All Truck Driver Forum South Africa (ATDF-SA) for allegedly inciting violence along the N3 southbound near Bergville on Saturday morning. The arrest follows a police operation that uncovered suspected attempts to disrupt traffic and target trucks on one of the country's busiest transport routes.

While conducting routine patrols along the N3, police noticed traffic slowing down before coming to a complete standstill. Upon investigating, officers found approximately 10 individuals allegedly stopping trucks on the highway. The suspects fled into nearby bushes after noticing the police presence, leaving behind a white Isuzu bakkie with its doors open.

Abandoned Vehicle Leads to Key Discovery

Preliminary investigations revealed that the abandoned bakkie belonged to a prominent ATDF-SA office bearer. Officers discovered an ATDF-SA banner and several stones inside the vehicle, raising suspicions of planned acts of intimidation and violence targeting road users and truck operators.

While still at the scene, police spotted a suspicious white VW Polo travelling on the N3 northbound. Officers followed the vehicle and determined that it had arrived to collect the owner of the abandoned bakkie. The driver of the Polo, his passenger, and the bakkie owner—both truck drivers—were arrested and taken into custody.

Additional Charges May Follow

Police believe the bakkie owner may also be linked to the stoning of a bus near the N3 Colenso interchange shortly before the arrests were made. Authorities confirmed that the suspects are currently being processed and warned that further charges could be added as investigations continue.