Rampant corruption on the various corridors serving over-border freight throughout southern Africa has prompted the formation of a new body geared to protect road hauliers against graft – the Cross-Border Operators’ Bureau (CBOB). An initiative of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), the bureau will also strive to live up to Fesarta’s name – creating a federated solution that unites various representative bodies operating in the region. And although it will provide ancillary services where necessary, such as educating transporters and truckers about aspects like hazardous chemicals (Hazchem), the CBOB for the most part will act as a bureau protecting the industry against crooked officials. Said Mike Fitzmaurice, CEO of Fesarta: “Crossborder transport is being exploited by the various authorities on the corridors by overregulation and predatory enforcement practices.” He added that although Fesarta had been “fully engaged with various regional structures in trying to resolve systemic problems”, a recent incident involving an “unlawful impounding” after a Hazchem spill at a tollgate in Mpumalanga had brought matters to a head. Fitzmaurice said they had been approached by a transporter to intervene after a tanker had been detained despite the incident being relatively insignificant. “Fesarta was able to have the vehicle released with no penalties. “It led to the creation of the CBOB and the service just grew from then.” According to Fitzmaurice, “to date the bureau has been successful in having numerous dubious traffic fines cancelled and has secured the release of a number of vehicles wrongfully impounded by traffic officers trying to solicit bribes from drivers”. The need for a new and alternative approach to corruption and police inaction also became apparent when FTW spoke to over-border operators following the recent spate of xenophobia-related arson attacks against road hauliers. A source from a bulk liquid tanker company in Lusaka confirmed that congestion was a major headache through the region, yet he was particularly disparaging of corruption at South African border crossings. “The level of extortion and exploitation faced by transporters entering South Africa is disgusting.” In the meantime the transport industry is still reeling from the news that a 23-year-old outfit carrying cargo to and from Zambia, Celtic Freight, has decided to close its doors citing, “no visible security measures whatsoever from the South African police to protect our drivers”. At the time of its decision, Celtic said its trucks had been stationary for 17 days out of fear of what might happen on the road. Confirming the persistent air of anxiety that dogs corridor cargo, Fitzmaurice said: “The daily harassment and illogical enforcement actions are a major feature of current operations as we all know, and they contribute to inefficiency, costs and frustration. He emphasised that the bureau would also make it possible for members of other national road transport associations, previously prevented from also joining Fesarta, to benefit from its services. Since it was quietly launched, the CBOB has already made an impact, said Adrian Chant, MD of Alro Transport. “We utilise the CBOB to assist with any issues we have in South Africa. On every occasion the problems have been resolved quickly, efficiently and effectively.”
INSERT Daily harassment and illogical enforcement actions are a major feature of current operations.
