Warn transporters ahead

THE report “Free-for-all as truck looted of batteries worth R800k” (DD, January 21) refers. The report reflects negatively on the transporter and certain facts were incorrect.

The driver took his usual route but was diverted by an official due to road closures for a competitive event. So our driver was not lost in the suburb. There was also no collision with any other vehicle – there is no accident report. A car had blocked the road so the truck could not proceed.

The result was the looting of our truck.

The crux of the problem is the poor planning of the race or the official handling of it. Buffalo City Metro’s traffic department is not ensuring secure alternate routes for big trucks. As a direct result of this oversight a loss of R800 000 has occurred.

To be proactive, event officials together with the BCM traffic department should try to ensure that transport companies are informed of road closures via e-mail or other media platforms in advance so that safe alternate routes can be decided upon.

I am disappointed in the criminal behaviour as it reflects that some people have no respect for others or a sense self-pride. It is unacceptable. Let’s learn from this incident and work together towards the safety of transporters’ cargo in transit. — Lynda Gower, Avonlea Transport