The government
proposal to ban
trucks from public
roads during
peak time is nothing
more than a diversion of
attention form the real
problem which is a lack of
enforcement coupled with
corrupt officials.
That’s the view of Road
Freight Association (RFA)
spokesman Gavin Kelly
who says we already
have more than enough
legislation governing the
industry.
RFA CEO Sharmini
Naidoo says the
organisation has taken
up the issue with the
Department of Transport
and the minister.
“It is a very serious
matter with some severe
consequences for our
industry,” Naidoo told
FTW. “We have indicated
our concerns to the
minister and we will be
participating in the public
commentary process.”
Naidoo said the
organisation was also
taking legal
advice on
the matter.
The
proposal,
which will
see trucks
banned
from public
roads
between
06:00 and
09:00 and
17:00 and
20:00 in
an effort
to address
road
carnage, has been
described by DoT
spokesman Tiyani Rikotso
as the department’s
way of dealing with “an
extraordinary situation”.
It calls, he said, for
“extraordinary measures”.
Kelly said the RFA was
not only concerned with
the banning of trucks but
also other aspects of the
proposal –
including
the renewal
of licences
and
retesting of
drivers.
Both
Kelly and
Naidoo
were
adamant
that the
RFA would
lobby
actively
against the
legislation
which they said clearly
demonstrated a lack
of understanding of
the logistics sphere by
government officials.
The stance has not been
seen in a positive light by
the DoT which is preparing
for yet another fight with
the RFA.
The DoT has accused
the RFA of doing nothing
more than protecting the
bottom line of operators
– a claim the organisation
has vehemently denied.
Naidoo said they were
continuing to engage
with the DoT in an
attempt to find solutions
to disagreements in an
amicable manner but it
was becoming an
increasingly difficult task.
Deputy Minister
Sindiswe Chikunga
was set to deliver the
keynote address at the
RFA conference but
cancelled her appearance
at the last minute citing an
international trip as the
reason, but several operators
questioned this excuse.
INSERT & CAPTION
Legislation clearly
demonstrates a lack
of understanding of
the logistics sphere
by government
officials.
– Sharmini Naidoo
