Planned trucker protest to disrupt major roads over Easter Weekend
Protest action is being planned to demonstrate against the hiring of foreign truck drivers.
Trucks parked across the Buffelsdale Road turn off to Tongaat as part of the fuel must fall campaign. Picture: Supplied
A planned truck driver protest over the Easter weekend could further exacerbate traffic congestion on South Africa’s major national roads. The planned disruption is over foreign drivers being employed in the industry, reports Sowetan Live.
Transport Minister Blade Nzimande was made aware of the protest by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
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It is reported that that Nzimande and the cluster are ready to deal with any possible disruptions. He added that protesting truck drivers will be arrested, reports eNCA.
The trucking industry was plagued by intermittent protest action last year, which resulted in closing off of traffic on major highways, in protest against the hiring of foreign nationals at lower wages.
Nzimande directed his department to lead a task team to investigate and address the concerns of South African truck drivers in January.
The task team was set to compile a report on the work already done and present it to the joint meeting of all the ministers responsible for the identified departments, the All Truck Drivers Foundation, the National Truck Drivers Foundation and other trucking associations.
The department met with the leadership of the truck associations to discuss the “challenges” facing the industry, following blockades during the festive season last year.
Additional reporting by ANA.
(Compiled by Nica Schreuder)
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