Tensions high ahead of truckers' planned shutdown

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) has warned that lawlessness will not be tolerated as truck drivers threaten to down tools this week. The All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF-ASA) plans to embark on a national shutdown which is expected to disrupt major transport routes, including the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg, which will be the epicentre of the shutdown. Natjoints spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said they were aware of social media posts calling for a shutdown by a group of truck drivers. ‘As previously communicated, there will be zero tolerance towards threats, intimidation and closure of our roads. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert to ensure there are no criminal activities and that law abiding citizens are not inconvenienced,’ Mathe added. News24 reports that the SADC Drivers Association has warned of retaliation if foreign truck drivers are attacked during the planned shutdown. It said it would be observing the shutdown, but ‘at the same time being proactive by mobilising our structures in the SADC region to protect our SA-registered truck drivers driving outside SA borders during this period’. The association said that, if the ATDF-ASA in SA attacked other drivers in the country, its structures in the SADC region would stop all SA-registered truck drivers from moving, to protect their members from being attacked by ATDF-ASA truck drivers. Natjoints called on road freight industry workers to communicate their grievances within the confines of the law. The CEO of the Road Freight Association (RFA), Gavin Kelly, told News24 they were aware of the planned action by the ATDF-SA. According to a risk assessment by the Fidelity Services Group, the planned shutdown comes after a protracted six-year history of violence in the trucking and road freight industry.

Second News24 report

First News24 report