Zambian truck drivers cautioned

ZAMBIAN truck drivers should not travel to South Africa until their security is guaranteed following a planned national wide work stoppage by truck drivers in that country, the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria has advised.

First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, Naomi Nyawali, said the Commission had observed with concern reports of some Zambian truck drivers being threatened with violence in South Africa.

Ms Nyawali said in a statement some Zambian truck drivers had faced physical attacks and threats from their South African counterparts who were fighting for better condition of services from their employers.

She said a notice from an identified association, alleging to represent South African truck drivers, had been issued calling for a national wide work stoppage among South African drivers from September 2019.

“It is with this background that the Mission would like to advise all Zambian truck drivers, who are scheduled to travel to South Africa between 1st and 4th September, not to do so until security is guaranteed,” said Ms Nyawali.

Ms Nyawali also advised Zambian truck drivers who would enter or would be working in South Africa on September 2019 to park their trucks in safe and secure designated places to avoid loss of life and property.

She said the Mission had in the past engaged Department of International Relations (DIRCO) on the safety of Zambian truck drivers and that they assured the Mission of tight security measures.

It is with this background that the Mission would like to advise all Zambian truck drivers, who are scheduled to travel to South Africa between 1st and 4th September, not to do so until security is guaranteed,” said Ms Nyawali. — Mr Nyawali.