SADC region feels pinch as truck driver protests continue

ONGOING protests by truck drivers have resulted in disruption to supply chains and freight logistics across the SADC region.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula recently met with truck operators who had blockaded the N9 and the N10 highways outside Middleburg in the Eastern Cape.

The N3, near Montrose, in the Free State was closed on Tuesday to traffic, due to the second mass truck protest in a matter of days. The protests were due to the long-standing issue of foreign nationals being employed in the trucking industry. When the issues first came up, two years ago, several trucks were torched in attacks, especially in KZN but drivers’ organisations denied involvement in the violence.

After the matters arose, President Cyril Ramaphosa mandated an Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, to address the matters raised by the truck drivers and small truck operators.

Mbalula said the committee has been hard at work in addressing the issues, with a number of consultations with stakeholders.

“In tackling these challenges, we are mindful of the economic impact of any disruption to the supply chains, freight logistics across the country and the SADC region.

“We have therefore made a firm commitment to address these matters in a manner that ensures sustainability of our interventions.

“Some of these interventions may require a longer runway as these may require legislative amendments.

“On Monday, we met with the protesting truck drivers and small truck operators who had blockaded the N9 and the N10 highways outside Middleburg, Eastern Cape. From the engagements, the issue of employment of foreign nationals featured strongly in their demands,” Mbalula said.

“While long-term interventions are being put in place, we have committed to the following actions to arrest the illegal conduct.”

The inventions include: Enhancing existing joint law enforcement operations between the SAPS, the Department of Labour and Employment, the Department of Home Affairs and the Road Traffic Management Corporation; and

Strengthening the process of validation and verification of immigration documents, work permits and foreign drivers’ licences. In the case of drivers’ licences, a synchronised process between countries is proposed.

Following the arrest of eight people linked to the truck drivers’ blockade on the N3 near Montrose this week, the SAPS has warned against any illegal action saying wrongdoers will be arrested.

Free State SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said they were ready for any eventuality and would act swiftly against people who broke the law.

“We will arrest anyone who embarks on illegal action that compromises the movement of other motorists on the road,” said Makhele yesterday.

He added that the impounded trucks had been taken to different pounds.

All Truck Drivers Foundation’s Sifiso Nyathi said while they were not involved in the blockade they supported the move by the aggrieved drivers.

He criticised government over the slow response in dealing with the issue of the mass employment of foreign truck drivers, a move which he said was killing the local labour market.