Fesarta and trucking bodies join forces to fight crime

Crime remains an ongoing concern
for transporters moving goods
across Africa.
In Chirundu operators have
warned against night driving as
bandits jump on slow moving
trucks and cut tarpaulins to get
hold of cargo, while syndicates
operating at the border post are
alleged to target truck drivers
directly, offering them money for
the loads.
“It is not anything new,” says
Barney Curtis, executive director
of the Federation of East
and Southern African Road
Transport Association (Fesarta).
“Traditionally loads have come
under attack by people who
jump on the back of trucks in the
Chirundu escarpment where the
trucks have to slow down. We are
seeing a trend where trucks are
being targeted in the Lusaka area
itself. When they slow down at
traffic lights, loads are grabbed.”
With copper and cobalt along
with other mineral commodities
often being transported under
strict surveillance, crime is a
major concern.
“There are certain guidelines that
drivers can follow to minimise the
risk - like not driving at times when
these incidents happen. In some
cases armed escorts are a way of
stopping the disappearance of an
entire truck and its load.”
Curtis said various initiatives
were under way to address crime
– such as working together to find
solutions. “For a long time people
have not talked about it because
theft, corruption and smuggling
have been difficult to deal with.
But more organisations are coming
forward and taking a stand.”
He said Fesarta and several
trucking associations were now
working together to find solutions
to crime. “As national organisations
we can possibly address the matter
and find ways to ensure the safer
transportation of cargo.”