N3 Highway Reopened Following Major Truck Blockade Near Harrismith

The N3 toll road, a critical economic artery connecting Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, has reopened after a significant truck blockade caused massive traffic congestion on Friday, April 10, 2026. Although all lanes are now open, motorists are still experiencing delays as the backlog of vehicles clears.

Details of the Blockade

The disruption began shortly before 6:00 am on Friday when multiple trucks obstructed both the northbound and southbound lanes. The blockade was centered at 42nd Hill, specifically near the Harrismith North Interchange (I/C 34) in the Free State. According to reports from IOL, the incident left traffic “stacked” at the scene, creating substantial delays for commuters traveling between two of South Africa’s busiest economic hubs.

The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) confirmed that all Road Incident Management System (RIMS) partners were deployed to the scene to support the SAPS Public Order Policing (POP) unit in managing the situation.

Current Traffic Status

Thania Dhoogra, the chief operating officer of the N3TC, confirmed that all lanes have been reopened. Though, she cautioned that road users should still expect continued traffic congestion in the area. Motorists are urged to approach the section with extra caution and remain patient until mobility is fully restored, as reported by The Citizen.

Key Takeaways for Motorists

• Location of Incident: Harrismith North Interchange (I/C 34) / 42nd Hill.
• Current Status: All lanes are open, but traffic backlogs persist.
• Advice: Exercise caution and expect delays while the queue clears.

Unclear Motivations

Despite the scale of the disruption, the specific grievances or reasons behind the truck drivers’ blockade remain unclear. Official reports from both the N3TC and local news outlets have not yet identified the cause of the protest.

Recent N3 Disruptions

This blockade follows other recent incidents on the route. On Thursday, motorists traveling toward the East Rand faced nearly hour-long delays after a truck overturned and spilled its load on the northbound N3 at the Gillooly’s Interchange ramp to the eastbound N12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the N3 highway still closed?

No, the N3 Toll Concession has confirmed that all lanes near Harrismith have been reopened.

Where exactly did the blockade occur?

The obstruction took place at the Harrismith North Interchange (I/C 34) near 42nd Hill in the Free State.

Why was the road blocked?

The specific reasons for the blockade by the truck drivers have not yet been reported.