The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) has added its voice to calls for free flow of traffic through toll gates during times of disruption.
“The recent spate of violent attacks on trucks on the N3 highway has caused massive disruptions to the economy, the ability to transport goods, as well as millions in damages and loss of income,” says Neasa chief executive Gerhard Papenfus in an open letter to Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula.
“It is our understanding that the majority, if not all of the attacks, happened at or near the Mooi River Toll Plaza. It is assumed that this is as a result of the vehicles being easy targets at the toll gate as they would have to slow down and/or stop completely to pay the toll or to queue at the toll gate.
“This being the case, it is our submission that, should a situation of unrest, where vehicles are attacked like we have experienced recently, happen again, it would be prudent to open up the affected toll gates in order to allow the free flow of traffic, reduce the vulnerability of vehicles, and diminish the ability of the attackers to sabotage a national freeway.”
Papenfus adds that although this will have a short-term impact on revenue collection at the toll gate, the impact on business and the economy will be far worse if vehicles are attacked again, resulting in the closure of a major economic route.
