Truck violence is economic sabotage, says Mbalula
POLITICAL parties have urged Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to pull out all the stops in fighting the attacks on trucks in the country.
This was after Mbalula told Parliament yesterday that the government viewed the attacks in a serious light and would take tough action.
DA MP Chris Hunsinger and UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said action was needed urgently.
Hunsinger said roads were becoming dangerous because of the violence.
Kwankwa said the government would also need to look at its labour laws.
Mbalula said his department would not allow lawlessness on the roads.
“Legitimate platforms are available for any aggrieved person to voice their grievances with relevant stakeholders and find an amicable solution. We will not tolerate a situation where our roads are turned into war zones,” said Mbalula.
He said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that the country’s roads were not the scene of violence.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has also said they would continue to intensify efforts to curb the escalation of the violence in the sector.
Trucks have been targeted in various parts of the country in the past few weeks, with the resulting damage amounting to millions of rand.
Mbalula said this was economic sabotage and those involved would be charged with such crimes.
The minister also said the department would renew its efforts to limit carnage on the roads ahead of the festive season.
“The lawlessness that characterise driver behaviour on our roads is a source for concern. While our interventions are primarily focused at enforcing the law, such enforcement will remain futile until we succeed in inculcating responsible behaviour by motorists and other road users,” said Mbalula.
He said their plan to address the violence in the trucking sector included working with Home Affairs, the Department of Employment and Labour and the police.
He said no one had the right to be torching trucks in the country.
The department would step up its efforts during the festive period.
According to the government, more than 27 trucks have been burnt over the past few weeks and more than 20 people arrested.
It said the violence had reached unacceptable levels and authorities would to come down hard on the perpetrators.