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

Local media has been tweeting pictures of the trucks: 

View image on Twitter

SAfm news@SAfmnews

 

 

The situation remains tense on the N-3 at Mooi River in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands after protests turned violent and forced the total shutdown of the freeway last night. 18 trucks were torched and looted in the late night unrest #sabcnews #firsttakesa

3:16 AM - Apr 30, 2018

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Nonkululeko Hlophe@Leko3

 

 

#SABCNEWS #sabckzn One of the trucks still burning in Mooi River on the N-3

6:18 AM - Apr 30, 2018

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

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

There are 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.