Pretoria’s #TruckProtest disrupts city’s traffic (and not in a good way)

Update, 11.38am: Truck drivers in Pretoria engaged in the strike have seemingly left their trucks, and have boarded taxis and bakkies on their way to the Union Buildings. The trucks have been reportedly parked in Marabastad, Pretoria West.

#TruckDriverProtest truck drivers now heading to Union Building using bakkies & taxis. Trucks parked in Marabastad. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Smy2pt749r

— Mr_Stuurman (@Sipho_Stuurman) March 1, 2017

#TruckDriverProtest drive into Marabastad, their assembly point before heading to the Union Buildings @News24 pic.twitter.com/8VzGg2fmY4

— lizzee (@lizTandwa) March 1, 2017

Traffic as a result is at a standstill in Arcadia, Pretoria East.

Traffic on Hamilton and Madiba also at a complete standstill in order to allow the convoy through @News24 #TruckDriverProtest pic.twitter.com/GlkFsn0MoU

— Nae* (@Naewizzle) March 1, 2017

Original article: Everyone on Pretoria’s highways are driving well below the speed limit today, largely thanks to a #TruckStrike.

According to reports, the protest was organised by the Coal Transportation Forum in protest against Eskom’s move away from coal for electricity generation.

With that in mind, truck drivers took to most major routes in and out of Pretoria’s CBD, including the N1 from Johannesburg, and R21 from OR Tambo International to take part in a go-slow protest.

The city’s Metro Police have labelled the strike “illegal”.

#TruckStrike This is Nana Sita Street in Pretoria central, trucks have blocked as they are heading to Marabastad. pic.twitter.com/sDV5GOTnsv

— KhayelihleKhumalo (@KhayaJames) March 1, 2017

#trucks blocking the highway in #pretoria #N1 Lynwood @EWNTraffic pic.twitter.com/v1j56gVx1L

— Tiaan (@meneerdebeer1) March 1, 2017

#Truck protest Most major routes into & out of #Pretoria are being blockaded by protesting truck drivers @The_New_Age @ANN7 pic.twitter.com/NyEK1obRcD

— IndieB (@IndieBoyce) March 1, 2017

@News24 N4 into Pretoria CBD #TruckStrike pic.twitter.com/WAbN21N3zd

— DIGIPAPER (@Msakarombe) March 1, 2017

#TruckDriverProtest, I’ll just leave this here and go about my day like nothing poppin’ – Pretoria Street, Botanical Gardens, Weavind Park pic.twitter.com/AUhXZYEPEI

— D’Louxz (@DeLouxz) March 1, 2017

Motorists weren’t happy either.

@jaca_traffic Took me just over 2 hours to get out of Pretoria this morning coming from Van Der Hoff.

— Leisl Kruger (@leisl_kruger) March 1, 2017

Pretoria’s roads are a mess. Vele we are stuck

— Lerato❤️ (@NunaLove_) March 1, 2017

Stuck here on the N1 North. If you’re trying to make your way into Pretoria, please rather use alternative routes @News24 pic.twitter.com/PWRcYoJrnQ

— Nae* (@Naewizzle) March 1, 2017

#TruckStrike 😡 I get it … but some of us need to work 😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/HKgxM2sw7z

— #TheBookOfChad (@NormaMansoor) March 1, 2017

Some are advising others to use the Gautrain and alternative transport into Pretoria.

People from Johannesburg or East Rand – take the Gautrain guys because the N1 North and R21 West bound are literary on a standstill!!!!!!!!!

— WorldCancerDay🎀 (@xiluvaxoxonga) March 1, 2017

If you’re going to PTA from JHB, this morning, DON’T drive, use the Gautrain. Eskom heavy duty, coal trucks blocking ALL lanes on the N14.

— IZWELETHU 😭✊ (@miss_andisa) March 1, 2017

But the Gautrain is also “jam-packed”.

The truck strike really threw people off hey… the gautrain jammed packed too 😓😓

— 👑 (@LynnD_ILL) March 1, 2017

At the time of writing, a vast majority of Pretoria’s inner streets remain congested, but judging by Google Maps, the major arteries of the city are relatively free-flowing.

This is a developing story…