On drivers

that prohibits foreign nationals who do not have South Africa’s PDP (professional driving permit) from driving trucks registered in South Africa.

“In instances where such drivers are undocumented and are on the road unlawfully, law enforcement will be intensified. Driving permits issued outside the country will only be accept“Most

ed if the truck in question is registered in that country,” Minister Mbalula was quoted by News 24.

Comprehensive

He also said the Department of Labour had put together a comprehensive response in the form of legislative amendments that are in Cabinet and would be published for comments.

“An instruction to trucking companies to stop employing foreign nationals as demanded

(by drivers) is unconstitutional. It is on the basis that due process must be followed to run its course,” he said.

Industrial Relations Officer of the Swaziland Transport and Allied Workers Union, Sticks Nkambule, said the proposal was an unfortunate development and would be lobbied against.

Nkambule said several attempts had been made by his union to plead with the SA Government not to expel truck drivers

from Eswatini.

“It is common cause for the minister to raise such proposals because he wants to be seen protecting the jobs of South Africans,” he said.

Assistance

Nkambule said SA could claim to be a superpower because anything could happen to change things such that they would need assistance from emaSwati.

“What if we discover oil here? We know that every country

has restrictions, so much that even Eswatini has its own restrictions when it comes to the labour market. But these laws have to be tolerant of the situation we live in as Africans,” he said.

Asked how many emaSwati are employed in the transport industry in SA, he said the number was about 10 000.

“But it’s difficult to count a definite figure because employers do not want to cooperate,” he said.