Labour PS warns economic saboteurs

THERE will be serious consequences for truck drivers who are inciting others to go on an illegal strike, Government has warned.

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kazhila, warned truck drivers to stop inciting others to go on an illegal strike or face the wrath of the law. To

He said that the law would take its course on truck drivers who were arrested on the Copperbelt and described their action as economic sabotage.

A group of truck drivers calling themselves “Professional Drivers Association” have been picketing other drivers especially tanker drivers to join an illegal strike.

However, it has emerged that the rampaging drivers are international truck drivers who used to work in South Africa but returned during the xenophobic attacks in that country.

Some enraged drivers were threatening and forcing other drivers to park their vehicles, demanding better working conditions and wages.

On Monday, four ring leaders of the country-wide strike were arrested on the Copperbelt.

However, Transport and Communication Minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, released trucks that had parked at Sabina area along the Kitwe-Chingola road.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa has assured that the erratic supply of fuel that has been experienced in some part of the country is being normalized.

Mr Nkhuwa noted said during a meeting with oil Marketing Companies, it was clear that the shortage was due to the strike by truck drivers which disrupted the delivery cycle for depots and filling stations around the country.

The minister also assured oil marketing companies of its commitment to addressing any bottlenecks that may hinder their smooth operations.

Mr Nkhuwa expressed happiness that the Energy Regulations Board (ERB) has come up with measures to speed up the mandatory inspection of fuel deliveries by the oil marketing companies to ensure there is no time lost in the process.

Mr Nkhuwa said the fuel tankers have now been allowed to transport fuel to their destinations even after 18 hours to ensure a steady and stable supply of fuel across the country.

And the Minister has called on oil marketing companies to make use of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) pre-clearance facility to ensure the speedy delivery of fuel in the country.