Coal trucks are not wanted in Melmoth

TRUCK looters along the R34/R66 are 'criminal opportunists'.

This is how Mthonjaneni Mayor Mbangiseni Biyela described the situation after a spate of blockages and looting of trucks in the Ndundulu area.

Biyela said no one has encouraged the blocking of coal side-tipper trucks; Melmoth residents have approached the municipality only to raise their discomfort over these heavy-duty vehicles in their residential areas.

“Residents are aggrieved about trucks parking on smaller roads near their houses. “These trucks have damaged our roads and drainage system along the main and smaller roads," said Biyela.

"They park in every corner where they can find space. In most cases, especially at night, [the truck drivers] park in residential areas to sleep. Last Tuesday, we held a community engagement where residents said they have had enough,” he said.

Biyela said residents pointed out that these trucks make it difficult for motorists because of their big numbers when passing through Melmoth town.

“Yesterday, we found it difficult to turn into town because there were so many trucks on the roads. I was rushing to a meeting but I had to wait for them as they drive in large numbers.

“Residents made it clear they do not want to see these coal tipper trucks parking around our town, even when the driver wants to buy food. We would rather lose the economy than have them around,” said Biyela.

“We recently planted grass in some areas to help our town look good, but these trucks have damaged this. It was agreed at the meeting that we must instruct traffic police officers to ensure these trucks do not park in our town or at any hiking spots or bus stops. “Officers must ensure [the trucks] only drive through," said Biyela.

Action group

R33/34/66 JOC action group chairperson Ronnie Gevers distanced his group from having participated in the truck blockages and looting.

“I have heard about those incidents in Ndundulu and Nkwaleni areas; we are against such incidents, but authorities must know that people living near these affected roads would have embarked on illegal activities because of their frustrations.

"We as the JOC group work with SAPS and traffic police, and all our activities are legal.

"I have also heard that people planned a legal protest last Thursday morning, but it was abandoned after meeting with the police on Wednesday night,” he said.

SAPS King Cetshwayo Cluster spokesperson Captain Siyanda Shangase said they have increased police visibility, especially in Ndundulu, to curb the looting of trucks.

“We view these incidents as criminal activities and after increasing police visibility, these incidents have decreased,” said