Mystery surrounds new truckers’ association

The Truckers’ Association of South Africa (Tasa), which was launched with much fanfare in July last year as an independent roadfreight association for the ‘little guy’, appears to be missing in action. Repeated efforts to contact the association president Mary Phadi have been unsuccessful while there appears to be little progress on the objectives laid out by Tasa during the association’s launch – such as its intention to “correct” or remove the Road Transport Management System and challenge the Finance Intelligence Centre Act. The association held its first national conference in October 2017 after which it declared it had been allocated R25 million for driver training. It also announced its intention to form its own bank – Tasa Mutual Bank – in November last year. This despite an announcement at the launch that its members would use VBS Mutual Bank. On its Facebook page, the association put out an invitation for 50 people to buy shares in its new bank at R250 000 a share, a figure it reduced to R1 250 per share just 19 days later. It said this was “to accommodate ordinary members” after what it called an “overwhelming” response to its first request. Efforts by FTW to reach anyone within the association since the launch have drawn a blank, with social media posts providing the only source of information. A press statement released by Tasa following its national conference merely reaffirmed commitments made during its launch regarding radical economic transformation and the economic contribution of the transport sector itself. There remains no mention of membership numbers, nor whether any members have paid the R10 000 joining fee – Phadi previously said that “a plan” could be made for those unable to afford it. Additionally, very little information is available on how to become a member of the association, who to contact to do so or what benefits Tasa members can expect. FTW would welcome any input on developments within the association.