Truck operators whose vehicles are affected by gridlocking outside the Port of Richards Bay should consider sending any fines they incur from authorities to Transnet for payment, says Gavin Kelly, chief executive officer of the Road Freight Association.
Responding to a story in Freight News on January 25, that traffic officials are issuing fines of up to R5000 to coal tipper trucks in the queue, he pointed out that various problems within the logistics utility’s operations – particularly Transnet Freight Rail – has resulted in the worsening situation at the port.
Kelly said: “If drivers are committing offences, then the law must take its course.
“The RFA cannot tell authorities which pieces of legislation to ignore and which to apply.
“Operators need to ensure they abide by the law at all times as those who feel aggrieved by the presence of trucks will try all means to change the situation.”
However, authorities should rather focus on the cause for the trucks being there – not the trucks themselves.
Kelly said it should be remembered that it is “Transnet who created this scenario in the first place.”
