Recent truck-burning incidents on the N3 have spurred a national discussion on concerns that foreign workers are taking South African jobs. The Department of Labour is in the process of assessing trucking businesses for the validity of these fears, verifying how many foreigners are employed with South African truck companies. This involves validating the employees and employers for legality of documentation and nationality. Gavin Kelly of the Road Freight Association (RFA) suggests that even South African nationals are not always legal as they may not possess the proper documentation or training for their job. Hence, he says, trucking businesses may be looking beyond South Africa’s borders for the right expertise. The investigation will reveal whether illegal foreign individuals are being widely employed by truck companies in South Africa. The Department of Labour’s next steps will involve prosecution and/or deportation as necessary. Kelly reports that there is currently no evidence to support rumours that any corporations or governments had any ulterior motives in the fires. Rather than xenophobia, Kelly says that this is a simple labour matter born out of fear.
