KwaZulu-Natal SAPS acting provincial commissioner major general, Phumelele Makoba, has called on the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDFSA) to halt planned road blockades and engage with authorities, following a social media message circulated on Friday announcing a national shutdown for Saturday, May 30.
In a media briefing at SAPS KZN headquarters, Makoba voiced concern over the group’s renewed threats of protest action targeting trucking companies accused of employing undocumented foreign nationals in the trucking industry.
The briefing was held in direct response to the widely shared social media post, which stated that the ATDFSA had confirmed the shutdown. The message warned of major disruptions on key routes, including the N3 and N2 in KwaZulu-Natal, with potential impacts on fuel supply, goods movement and daily commuting.
ATDFSA secretary-general Gugu Sokhie confirmed to Freight News on Friday evening that the action would take place but said the group had reconsidered its approach after discussions with affected municipalities.
Sokhie said the organisation had decided to tone down the protest after meeting Mpofana Local Municipality in Mooi River, where officials warned that disruptions could affect potential investment, economic activity and jobs in the area. Mooi River Toll Plaza has been a hotspot for violence and truck arson during the July 2021 unrest and 2023 protests on the N2, N3 and other national routes.
“Yes, there is a shutdown, but after discussions with affected municipalities, particularly in Mooi River, it will be more like a slow-down than a shutdown,” Sokhie said.
He said the action would target trucks, which would move in convoy in the slow lane. Cars would be allowed through.
Police engagement
Makoba said police were surprised by the latest escalation because they had been actively addressing the forum’s concerns through direct engagement with ATDFSA leadership.
She said ATDFSA had agreed to alert authorities to specific companies of concern. This had led to enforcement action, including the arrest of 4 722 undocumented foreign nationals in KwaZulu-Natal since January 1 during joint operations with the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Home Affairs, eThekwini Metro and other stakeholders.
Seventy-four managers or supervisors had also been fined for contravening labour laws during operations targeting companies suspected of employing undocumented foreign nationals.
“We are concerned that while we thought our cooperation with ATDFSA is in good standing, we woke up to threats of road blockages and other illegal activities planned for May 30,” Makoba said.
“We are calling upon the organisers of that planned protest to come to the table and voice their concerns, and we are prepared to listen and amplify our strategies where required. If there was any mishaps which we are not aware of, such missteps do not warrant a full blown violent protest.”
“We will try all our best to be peaceful, the law enforcement must work with us,” Sokhie said.
However, he said attempts to engage government to address the issue of illegally employed foreigners in the transport sector had failed. He said the departments of labour, transport and home affairs should be regulating businesses and employment to ensure compliance.
Police, together with provincial Joints structures and the business sector, had developed contingency plans to respond to any eventualities, Makoba said. Preparations were also under way for another potential march on June 30, where organisers had given assurances of peaceful demonstrations.
“We reiterate our call to all those who are marching against undocumented foreign nationals to work with police, not to do the work of the law enforcement officers,” Makoba said.
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