The residents of Richards Bay are talking of imposing their own blockade of access roads to the Port of Richards Bay, which are clogged with trucks waiting to offload coal in the port.
Some are even claiming that residents are opting to leave the town to establish their families in more comfortable towns and cities, saying that the truckers are actually in control of the city.
They are citing the example of what happened in Pongola recently when a runaway truck killed a number of people and as a result, the N2 was closed for some time. Trucks resorted to going through the town and residents blocked it off until the highway was reopened.
Calling for the use of their own vehicles to deny trucks access, one post states “enough is enough”.
Social media is calling on residents to undertake their own remedy for the situation, which has developed over many years following damage, theft and even sabotage to the coal feeder railway line from the south-eastern Mpumalanga and northern Natal coal basin to the port city.
“We should block all the entrances and only allow light vehicles through and not the coal trucks,” said the opening post.
Some affected stakeholders have suggested that residents approach the courts to impose an obligation on city authorities to clear the roads of trucks.
“Did they go to court in Pongola or just stand up for their rights? And they got everybody’s attention. It has been a long time coming. We complain and complain and we get told to be patient and apologise for the inconvenience.
“Are these trucking companies going to be held liable for all the repairs to side curbs, drains and roads that they have damaged as well as undertake a massive clean-up of Alton? Or is the taxpayer going to pay for it?” one poster asked.
Another post read that Alumina Alley was “absolutely disgusting”.
“Absolutely no control, with the trucks being lived in and serviced on the roadside while they wait. It is all in clear view of everyone, with no consequences for anyone.”
Dissenting posts ask how long such action can be sustained and if it can be defended in court.
“Also, if the truck drivers decide to counter and enforce a blockade of their own in retaliation and you cannot access or leave Alton, neither will your clients.
“I am just asking these questions so that you are prepared for the consequences of an ill-conceived plan,” the anonymous counter post read.
Just this week Transnet National Ports Authority held a media briefing about its plans for the port and how it was trying to address the trucking problem – although it did lay the blame for some of the problems within the port precincts at the door of trucking companies.
