Trucking industry violence condemned

During a meeting held on 7 July, Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi discussed the current impasse in the road freight and logistics industry.

©Leon Swart via 123RF

The meeting attended by the Deputy Minister of Transport, parties to the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (Council), representatives from the Departments of Home Affairs, Police and Transport, ATDF, SANCADTRA, ANTDF and Positive Freight Solutions.

All parties attended the meeting have condemned the violence taking place in the road freight and logistics sector because violence is not a solution to address the issues related to the employment of foreign nationals.

The meeting resolved that representatives of all parties present in the meeting will establish a Task Team to deal with issues raised by ATDF, SANCADTRA and ANTDF. The task team is expected to meet on a regular basis to urgently attend to and speed up the finalization of the issues raised.

The Council has noted with great concern that despite the meeting which took place, there are media reports that trucks are being attacked and used to block roads in various parts of the country. Therefore, the Council is calling up law enforcement agencies to act swiftly against any acts of lawlessness and to ensure their visibility in violent hotspots.