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Trucks parked at the Beit Bridge border post. (Rooster)
- Truck drivers are reportedly spending days at the Beitbridge border post.
- According to the Road Freight Association (RFA), there were no facilities or amenities for truck drivers.
- Other drivers were allegedly bribing their way to the front as a result of fights.
Four truckers have died as meandering lines continue at the Beitbridge border post, the Road Transport Association (RFA) said on Thursday.
The association has now asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to rectify and resolve what it described as an unacceptable crisis at the busy border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, it was reported that thousands had been stranded for days and two people had died of fatigue while waiting to cross the border.
Long lines of trucks and other vehicles queued for 20 km in both directions and it took up to nine days for truck drivers to cross, with no facilities or amenities to accommodate them along with thousands of others, the RFA said in a statement.
He called for urgent action to resolve the disaster at the border.
Its chief executive, Gavin Kelly, said the situation was “desperate”, with the truck parks packed, as well as the streets of the surrounding towns.
Kelly added that Covid-19 checks and curfews have exacerbated the situation at the border, saying that with proper planning, the chaos could have been avoided.
“The RFA is aware of at least four drivers who have died in their trucks due to the extreme situation and conditions, with unconfirmed reports from another seven from local SAPS authorities.
“Also, there are no facilities or services to make delays more manageable or to provide much-needed relief. There is no food and no water to drink or bathe. There are also no sanitary facilities,” the RFA said.
Safety
Kelly said drivers queuing at the border were exposed to many risks and dangers because they weren’t sitting in their trucks, but hanging around trying to investigate what was causing the delays.
He added that they were fighting those who allegedly tried to bribe their way, saying they weren’t sleeping either because they feared losing their places in the queue.
Kelly said:
Exhaustion is a reality and this affects your ability to function effectively and drive safely. They cannot perform at their best and therefore safety is compromised. This is a serious concern.
To speed things up, drivers allegedly also resorted to bribing traffic officials with amounts up to R1,000 to avoid the long queue.
Kelly said the more paid, the more likely someone was to be authorized, causing delays for those waiting their turn.
“This terrible situation cannot continue, it is affecting the lives of our drivers, the surrounding areas, consumers and businesses.
“The delays have cost more than R700 million to date and this figure is going to increase substantially. This crisis could have been avoided. We call on the government to take swift action to address this.”
News24 previously reported that Gauteng truck driver and secretary of the Foundation for All Truck Drivers, Mandla Mngomezulu, said that drivers were also having their cell phones and clothing stolen while they waited to be tested for Covid-19 because only there was police visibility during the day.
Mngomezulu added that he spent five days at the border last week and said the main cause of the delay was the screening process.
Truck drivers are required to be tested upon entering South Africa, but these are only done between 09:00 and 17:00.
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