Renewed threats by dissenting voices from within the road freight industry over alleged unfair labour practices have resulted in pleas for lawful dispute arbitration and warnings of zero tolerance against any violent transport disruption.
Reacting to a statement circulated by KwaZulu Natal’s acting MEC for Transport over the weekend, Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly said employers and employees should remember that there were formal structures to turn to for labour-related issues.
“This is called the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry, where representatives of employees meet and discuss issues with representatives of the employers.”
With fears mounting that the country’s road haulage sector could yet again be heading for arson attacks on trucks - such as the spate of violent infractions experienced last November - Kelly sided with the warnings from MEC Kwazi Mshengu that this should not be tolerated.
“There is no place for people who think through violence and attacking other employees that they can pretend to be representing the best interests of employees in any sector.
“They attack indiscriminately and have caused the deaths of innocent drivers whom they state they represent.
“Government must take the necessary steps to ensure all individuals and property are protected, that the rule of law is maintained, and that those responsible for causing injury, death and violence are held accountable.”
In his statement Mshengu called on law-enforcement agencies to act swiftly against those in the industry who were threatening to cause anarchy and shut down major transport routes in the province.
He said all law enforcement agencies in the province were on high alert to avert any possible disruption to traffic and to keep an eye out for protest action on provincial and national corridors.
He added that police had developed a comprehensive tactical enforcement plan targeting key hotspot areas.
Mshengu said they had received a high-level briefing from the police management in the province and were satisfied with the level of preparations and the security plan that had been developed.
“The burning of trucks and attacks on motorists is a major issue of concern for us because such acts of criminality threaten to destabilise the logistics industry as well as the economy.
“Those that attempt to disrupt traffic and attack any freight transport will face the full might of the law because we are not prepared to negotiate with criminals.”
He reiterated that as per Lockdown Level 3 regulations, marches and social gathering were prohibited.
Mshengu also emphasised that government had developed a robust plan of action and embarked on a process to address the challenges facing truck drivers through the road freight and logistics inter-ministerial task team that had been set up.
Various identified areas of potential violence had been earmarked for stepped-up police deployment and were visited yesterday by Mshengu and top SAPS officials.
The statement said it would culminate in a visit by the MEC this evening to Durban Central Police Station and Mshengu and his entourage would inspect enforcement at the Port of Durban.
