Arbitrary fines milk transporters

Concerns are rising over arbitrary fines levied on freight operators by local councils who see hauliers as easy revenue streams. The Road Freight Association, which is still embroiled in an ongoing court case with officials from Emakhazeni (Belfast) who invoice operators for fire services rendered, has seen an escalation. Trucks are now being impounded in the Harrismith area for allegedly parking illegally in what can only be described as a revenue scheme, while Piet Retief officials have implemented an escort fee through the town. According to RFA spokesman Gavin Kelly, the situation is definitely getting worse – and despite efforts by the organisation and the involvement of several lawyers, officials in the local municipalities are continuing with the activities irrespective of the concerns raised. “In Belfast court dates were postponed and the matter has yet to be resolved. We are now in the process of launching an urgent application to stop operators from being invoiced for fire services rendered.” Trucks are stopped in the town for allegedly being a fire hazard, which necessitates the deployment of a fire official with a fire extinguisher to stand by while an inspection is conducted. The trucking company is then invoiced for the services of the fire official. The invoices run into thousands of rands. In Harrismith, Kelly said, trucks are being impounded for parking in what officials deem to be “a dangerous spot”. “The impounding of a truck, in our opinion, is a rather heavyhanded manner to deal with what is essentially a parking offence,” he told FTW. “That is besides the fact that we don’t believe these trucks are being parked in a dangerous area at all.” In Piet Retief an escort fee of R7000 has been implemented to escort trucks around the town – a total of only about 2.5 kilometres. Kelly said it was clear that many municipalities were watching to see the outcome of the court cases involving the current cases. With local municipalities looking at truck operators as cash cows, they are pushing up costs significantly and there is the very real risk that transport through South Africa will soon not be a costeffective option any more, he added. INSERTS & CAPTION Hauliers to pay: • Belfast - fire services • Harrismith - dangerous parking • Piet Retief - escort services The impounding of a truck is a rather heavy-handed manner to deal with what is essentially a parking offence. – Gavin Kelly