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The Road Freight Association has written a open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa as attacks on truckers in South Africa continue to escalate.
On Thursday (November 19) more than 20 trucks were bombarded with gasoline and destroyed on several roads in the Heidelberg area.
The violence has continued this week, with more attacks and murders on the main national highways, including the N12 and N3.
The association said that truckers are being attacked by the forces on the pretext that foreigners “take jobs from citizens.”
This results in damaged and totally destroyed lives, businesses, job opportunities, economic activity, property, vehicles, facilities, roads and foreign investment to move property through South Africa to Africa, he said.
“This matter has been with us for more than three years and nothing, except the shifting of blame and the endless conversations, has occurred. No resolution has been reached. “
The association said that she and other industry stakeholders have met numerous times with relevant ministers, been involved in the ministerial task force created to address this, have submitted proposals and actions to address the matter, and attempted to resolve all work-related matters through the correct structures. .
“However, there are roles required by the various government agencies that have not been implemented effectively or urgently enough to address this very serious issue,” he said.
The association said it has seen South African citizens attacked, seriously injured and even killed in this activity “directed at foreign drivers.” “Clearly, this is not about foreign drivers.”
“These attacks are being carried out with military precision, indicating that there is a strong element of leadership coordinated with some level of formal military training. We are not clear on what the goal is, but destabilization of the country seems to be a big part of this. “
JHB Highway – N12: TRUCKS ON FIRE (2) at Etwatwa pic.twitter.com/PIioGpDJwM
– Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) November 25, 2020
Target foreign nationals
On Monday (November 23) members of the All Truck Drivers Foundation and the UmKhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) marched in Durban, calling for the deportation of foreigners. Ground reported.
Dumisani Ngcobo, treasurer of the Durban branch of the All Truck Drivers Forum, said they submitted a memorandum to the Transnet Port Authority at the Bayhead Road entry point with an ultimatum that no South African license plate trucks should enter the port if it is driven by a foreigner. national after December 1.
In a statement, KZN Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala called for calm and a peaceful resolution to the truckers’ concerns.
He said the Department of Labor and Home Affairs is currently involved in a process of developing legislation that will address the employment of non-South Africans in all sectors of the economy, including road transport.
“However, we must reiterate that we will not allow anarchy to threaten our economy, even more so as we emerge from the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we call on those who have grievances to work with us and not close our roads, use torches or resort to attacking truckers as has happened before, ”said Zikalala.
Read: South Africa’s 320,000 Driver License Buildup is Hurting Car Sales
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