Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: My office has brought to my attention media inquiries in relation to this morning’s planned protests by All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF-ASA).
Our team from Road Traffic Inspectorate worked with law enforcement agencies especially along the N3 to avert any disruption of traffic.
We wish to indicate that yesterday we had an informal meeting with the leadership of All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF-ASA).
Our belief as the department is that no issue is above the collective wisdom. A formal meeting is therefore being planned with ATDF-ASA) to discuss issues of mutual interest.
This meeting is being co-ordinated by the Head of the Department Siboniso Mbhele.
Importantly, we are fully aware that matters that have been raised by truck drivers are managed by the national government as they relate to the employment of foreign truck drivers.
However, we wish to indicate that in our meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa last week and his national cabinet, which was followed by the Presidential Imbizo, the issue of socio-economic stability dominated the agenda.
For our part as the department of transport, we were encouraged to ensure that we continue to be the catalysts of the growth of all sectors of the economy.
Our planned engagement with All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF-ASA) is within continuous engagements with road freight industry stakeholders such as operators – trucking companies, and companies that are managing and supplying drivers.
Working with national government and key stakeholders, our main focus is to harmonize relations in order to protect much needed jobs and our economy.
We state this because our economy is driven largely through the transport and logistics sectors based on the two major ports housed in the province, namely Port of Richards Bay and the Port of Durban.
Both ports are economically strategic not only to the Province of KZN, but also to the national economy of South Africa since they are linked to the economic heartland of South Africa, Gauteng, via our road infrastructure.
The Port of Durban is also a transit point for cross border container traffic for our neighbouring countries-a Gateway to Southern Africa.
The Ports of Richards Bay and Durban are important contributors to international trade and a significant enabler for South Africa’s and the province’s economic development.
Our planned meeting with (ATDF-ASA) and other interventions aimed at ensuring efficient transport systems are therefore based on this understanding.
