🔥 Trending N3 Incident: High-Speed Chase Ends in Deadly Shootout

Today, June 26, 2026, the N3 highway in South Africa experienced several traffic disruptions and incidents. Motorists traveling on this route should be aware of the following:

N3 Traffic Incidents and Closures

Roadworks and Lane Closures

• N3 Northbound (Buccleuch Interchange): Roadworks are currently underway on the N3 Northbound before the Buccleuch Interchange. The left lane is closed, leading to queues and heavy congestion ¹.
• N3 Highway (Armitage Road): The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has planned a full road closure for the N3 highway between Armitage Road and an unspecified location ³. Details regarding the exact times and alternative routes should be monitored.

Accidents and Congestion

• Warden Truck Crash (N3-8X Km13.8): Heavy congestion and traffic delays continue to be experienced along the N3 Toll Route due to a truck crash near Warden at N3-8X Km13.8. A contraflow traffic accommodation system is currently in place to manage traffic flow ⁴.
• N3 Southbound (Pinetown/Pavilion): There is a closure on the N3 southbound between the M7 (Pinetown) and St James Avenue (Pavilion) ⁷.

Increased Traffic Volumes

• School Holidays: Higher traffic volumes are expected on the N3 due to the ongoing school holidays ¹⁰. This is contributing to general congestion on the route.

Broader Traffic Advisories

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) issued a warning for total closures on major highways, including the N3, on Friday (9 am - 1 pm) and Saturday (8 am - 10 am & 1 pm - 2:30 pm) for areas including Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni ⁵. While this advisory was issued for June 25, 2026, it indicates a period of potential widespread disruptions.

How to Stay Updated

Motorists are advised to use the following resources for real-time traffic updates:

• N3 Toll Route Helpline: Contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline at 0800 63 43 57 to report problems or for emergency assistance ⁴.
• Social Media: Follow @N3Route on X (formerly Twitter) for verified traffic reports ⁴ and @ecrtraffic for updates on the N3 ¹⁰. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department also posts updates on their Facebook page ⁵.
• WhatsApp Alerts: The Road Safety Foundation of South Africa (RSFSA) offers real-time traffic alerts via WhatsApp for conditions, incidents, and road closures ².
• News Outlets: Local news sources like Witness.co.za provide live traffic updates for the PMB, Midlands, and KZN regions, including the N3 ⁷.