South Africa gangs burn at least 18 trucks

Some of the trucks set on fire by gangs in South Africa's eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal on April 29, 2018. PHOTO | BBC 

In Summary

• Local media tweeted pictures of the trucks:
• Vehicles were looted during the overnight rioting and shots were fired
• Police were deployed to the area in force and more than 50 people were arrested

By BBC
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Gangs in South Africa have set fire to at least 18 trucks on a motorway in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The unrest closed the main road between the country's two biggest cities, Johannesburg and Durban.

Local media tweeted pictures of the trucks:

Reports say vehicles were looted during the overnight rioting and shots were fired, although it is not clear why the violence began.

Employment of foreigners

Police were deployed to the area in force and more than 50 people were arrested for public violence.

There were unconfirmed reports that protesters opened fire with live rounds at police.

The unrest follows a similar incident earlier this month on the same road, after which some of those involved said they were protesting about the employment of foreigners as truck drivers.