Non-compliant operators undermine responsible transporters

Calls for stronger enforcement and greater accountability in South Africa’s dangerous goods logistics sector are growing, amid warnings that persistent non-compliance by some hauliers is placing lives, the environment and responsible operators at risk. Dewald Theron, director at Mweza Trans, said that while the company had strengthened its own standards through the Road Transport Management System (RTMS) certification in December 2024, gaps remained across the industry. “One of the major concerns is the lack of compliance by some hauliers, particularly in adhering to legal requirements such as obtaining fire permits from local authorities. This non-compliance poses serious risks to public safety and the environment,” he told Freight News. “There is also a noticeable gap in due diligence by some clients when selecting transport service providers. The failure to vet suppliers properly contributes to the persistence of non-compliant operators in the industry, which undermines the efforts of responsible and certified transporters. “These challenges not only increase the risk of environmental damage and loss of life, but also create an uneven playing field, where compliant operators are disadvantaged. We believe that stronger enforcement mechanisms, coupled with more rigorous supplier vetting by clients, are essential to improving safety, compliance and sustainability within the transport industry.” He said Mweza Trans was continuing to strengthen its operations. “The implementation of RTMS has enabled us to enhance our fleet management, improve road safety, ensure legal compliance, and support sustainable transport practices in line with industry standards.” In August, the company officially joined the Western Cape Mobility Department’s Freight Forum, a platform that brings together key stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector to address challenges, share insights and drive improvements in freight mobility across the province. “We are also actively collaborating in the Safer Road User Programme, an initiative aimed at promoting responsible road use, reducing accidents, and improving overall road safety for all users – particularly in the commercial transport sector.” According to Theron, a more decisive stance on matters of road safety and regulatory enforcement is needed, particularly in the transportation of hazardous goods. “The lack of consistent enforcement allows non- compliant operators to continue putting lives, property and the environment at risk. “Additionally, we believe that clients and consignees must be held accountable for performing proper due diligence when selecting transport service providers. This includes verifying RTMS compliance, safety records and operational capabilities. In cases where due diligence is neglected, clients should not be exempt from liability if incidents occur as a result of engaging non- compliant hauliers.” LV