Last week saw another blockade by truckers of the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal, ostensibly as a protest against foreign truck drivers.
The blockade is the third in less than 12 months.
In October the same highway, a key corridor for the movement of goods, was blocked by truckers who called for an end to the employment of their foreign counterparts.
In December the highway was also blocked — for an entire day.
The Road Freight Association (RFA) describes these blockades as economic sabotage.
It says attacks are being carried out with military precision, indicating there is a strong, coordinated leadership element, with some level of military training.
Though the RFA is unclear on the objective, it says destabilising the country seems to be a large part of it.
The importance of the N3 for the transportation of goods to Durban harbour and Gauteng cannot be over-emphasised.
The importance of the N3 for the transportation of goods to Durban harbour and Gauteng cannot be over-emphasised.
With the death of the rail network, most goods are now transported by road. This means any road closures not due to natural causes should be prevented.
Business Unity SA (Busa) says it has consistently appealed to government to take proactive measures to stop blockades and arrest those responsible.
In December 13 men were arrested for blocking the freeway. In the latest incident four men were arrested.
What SA needs, apart from successful prosecutions, is for government to have a plan in place to stop the blockades. Our economy depends on it.
Even if roads are blocked, there must be measures to ensure blockades last for as short a time as possible.
Protesters’ issues with the employment of foreigners should also be addressed urgently.
The concerns raised by truck drivers are not new and ongoing engagements between transport minister Fikile Mbalula and the departments of labour and employment and home affairs to address their grievances need to bear fruit soon.
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