Protests rocked Thornville, about 16km south of Pietermaritzburg, on Monday.

"It started at about 05:00 and about 200 protesters blocked the road with burning tyres," police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele told News24.

She said police were monitoring the situation and advised motorists to avoid the area.

"There have been no arrests and we advise motorists to use alternative routes."

The cause of the protest is unclear and Mbhele said that aside from the burning blockades, the protests were peaceful.

"There are no damages and no injuries."

Google Maps data also showed very slow-moving traffic in the area.

The protests come just two days after the announcement of the outcome of the general elections.

The ANC garnered 72.24% of the vote in the area, followed by the EFF at 10.47%.

KZN - R56 Route: #ProtestAction at Thornville - EXPECT DELAYS to / from PMB pic.twitter.com/YWd475m0r2

— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) May 13, 2019

Serious Protest Action on R56 at Thornville. Expect delays to and from PMB. #KZNTraffic pic.twitter.com/wimkUriRs8 pic.twitter.com/QJ9uh2OrKo

— RIOT & ATTACK info SA (@RiotAndAttackSA) May 13, 2019

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