The NATJOINTS is calling on those who are partaking in the protest to do so peacefully and respect those who do not wish to partake in the strike,” a statement issued by Natjoints read. “The NATJOINTS assures the nation that no lawlessness in the form of barricading of roads, torching of trucks and looting of goods from those operating will be tolerated.

While the national truck strike is deemed legal, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) said it has mobilised all resources at its disposal to closely monitor the situation and tackle any criminality. Mngomezulu said all truck drivers have been instructed to adhere to a peaceful protest action, but then added the additional warning that “anything can happen if police interfere with their demonstrations”.ĪLSO READ: Police evict asylum seekers camped outside UN refugee office in Tshwane Natjoints on high alert: All resources mobilised “Whether it is a weekend or not, the fact is trucks move goods across the country all the time, and therefore the impact of our action will be felt,” he said. Mngomezulu explained that an inter-ministerial committee of various government departments, including Transport, Home Affairs and Labour and Employment, was set up in 2021 to look into the matter, but nothing has been done to address the matter.Īsked why they had chosen a Sunday for their protest, Mngomezulu said it would still have an impact on the supply chain and economy.

The issue of foreign truck drivers being given preference for employment has been raised for the past three years by local driver associations. The protest is expected to strain the supply chain as billions of rands of goods are transported via trucks across South Africa due to the country’s failing rail network, BusinessTech noted in a report.ĪLSO READ: Fuel price: Good news for diesel, but no joy ride for petrol heads in May Truck drivers protest against employment of foreign driversĪccording to All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF) and Allied South Africa’s deputy chairperson Mandla Mngomezulu, the truck blockade comes after concerns about the use of foreign drivers in the industry, have fallen on deaf ears for years. Police and other state security services have assured South African motorists that they will be closely watching the “national shutdown” announced by organisers of the truck drivers protest planned for today.

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