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A burned truck on the N7 during protests in Dunoon.
Supplied by Kenny Africa, Western Cape Traffic
- Drivers have pledged to stop burning trucks and blocking roads, according to KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala.
- KZN truck owners have pledged to provide at least 400 new jobs for South Africans.
- Foreign nationals who drive trucks registered in South Africa must have a valid license and permits issued by the Department of the Interior.
The KwaZulu-Natal government has obtained pledges from merchandise owners with the aim of quelling attacks on trucks.
According to KwaZulu-Natal Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala, the government has reached agreements with various stakeholders in the freight industry to prioritize locals for employment. Truck owners have pledged to provide at least 400 new jobs for South Africans.
Zikalala said they will soon mount an intensive operation, together with the national government, along the N2, N3 and N11 routes in KwaZulu-Natal in which drivers who do not have the proper permits will be targeted.
“The commitments follow recent riots on our main national highways, where trucks were set on fire and drivers attacked in a long-standing dispute over the employment of foreign nationals in the trucking industry. We reached important commitments that we believe will be implemented successfully, it will ensure peace and stability in this important industry.
“In principle, we agreed that truck operators should, with immediate effect, prioritize the employment of South African drivers. Any foreigner currently driving a South African registered truck must have the appropriate license and a valid permit issued by the Department of Home Affairs. “
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The province will contract with the Department of Labor and Employment to manage the database of prospective drivers, which will be presented by driver associations, including the All Truck Drivers Foundation (ATDF) and the National Drivers Federation.
“The department will also verify the database of drivers, ensuring clear criminal records and valid qualifications. We now have a firm commitment from drivers that there will be no burning of trucks, blocking of any roads or entrance to the port of Durban.”
Zikalala said:
At the same time, we hope that the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster will not abandon its fundamental responsibility to enforce the law without hesitation where necessary. We agree that these are provisional measures.
Zikalala added that her long-term solution included making the appropriate amendments to the law.
Therefore, our proposals to the national government include accelerating the review of the low skills policy to clarify the controversial issue of employment of foreigners in low-skilled sectors.
“For this reason, we have raised the issue to the national government, as it is not just a KwaZulu-Natal issue, but it has implications for the entire SADC region. Our provincial government is fully committed to transforming and stabilizing transportation. road freight and logistics industry, which is a critical sector of the provincial and national economy.
“We will work together with all stakeholders as long as they are prepared to find a lasting solution to these current challenges. The task force that has been assigned responsibility for addressing the challenges in the trucking industry will meet weekly to receive reports on operations.
“We wish to reiterate that we will not allow anarchy to threaten our economy and we have no doubt that all of our key players will play their part in this regard,” the prime minister added.
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