A code 14 truck driver for a company in Gauteng has pleaded with the government and protesters marching against foreigners in the industry to end the violence, saying the job is tough at the best of times without fear entering the equation.
“As a driver, I don’t feel safe. Our lives are in danger every day when we travel. I heard of yesterday’s event where a truck was attacked, some of my colleagues were stuck in traffic on the N3 due to the incident. The road was blocked as another truck was petrol-bombed,” said Nditsheni Livhebe.
The 34-year-old said the government needs to intervene to de-escalate tensions.
“I think it is better for the government to intervene and try to find out what is the cause of these attacks.”
Scores of trucks have been torched in the past week. The motive behind the attacks is unclear, even though it comes as unions are protesting against the employment of foreigners as drivers.
Livhebe said blaming foreigners was unfair, as they were subjected to difficult working conditions.
“People are not earning the way they are supposed to earn, they are earning less because foreign nationals just work for lower income, while enriching the owners,” he said.
“They endure sleeping outside two nights without going home. It’s not a lot of people who can endure that, but foreigners know that they are here to work and they endure the conditions.”
Commenting on Monday's union march on Transnet’s Durban harbour offices to demand foreign drivers be stopped from collecting cargo, Livhebe said he feared it could inflame tensions without yielding results.
“When it’s a march, a war might arise and people start fighting.
“I believe the march to stop foreigners from working does not achieve much, unless there are discussions with the owners of companies and people in charge to tell them what needs to change.
“We know that there are many foreigners, but they also want to work and they have work permits.”
