Cele fumes over truck blockade

Police Minister Bheki Cele has commended the police for arresting 62 protesting truck drivers who blockaded the N3 between Harrismith and Ladysmith with their vehicles‚ saying such behaviour would not be tolerated.

“We have laws in this country and the full might of the law will be heard and felt‚” Cele said yesterday.

“Police action will be very tough in maintaining law and order. This barbaric behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Swift and tough action by the police is once again an indication of our commitment to maintain law and order in our country. No amount of pressure will divert our focus from stamping hard the authority of the state.”

He called on the trucking industry to be part of the solution and not create more room for destructive behaviour on the roads, and expressed concern over the growing trend of truckers blockading roads in protests.

A team comprising the police and the defence force, as well as firefighters and paramedics from KwaZuluNatal and Free State had been deployed to the scene after the blockade on Wednesday. Fiftyone trucks‚ mostly carrying goods‚ were impounded.

Transport Minister Blade Nzimande also condemned the blockade on the N3.

The protesters’ disdain was reported by the N3 Toll Concession as being linked to the employment of foreign drivers by local trucking companies.

Earlier this week‚ about 150 trucks from a Mpumalanga transport firm stopped on the N4 near Komatipoort as drivers embarked on a strike. –