Truck drivers warn of national shutdown on July 18

While millions of South Africans are set to celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela on July 18, a landmark case for the trucking industry will be heard in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. 

The case between the Positive Freight Solution Forum (PFSF), representing truck owners, and leadership of the All Truck Divers Foundation (ATDF), representing truck drivers, is expected to get under way.

The trial comes in the wake of a wave of attacks on trucks and drivers which have left several people dead and caused at least R1.2bn in damages to vehicles and cargo, according to the Road Freight Association (RFA).

The issue between the PFSF and the ATDF - neither of which are registered with the National Bargaining Council (NBC) - is largely related to the hiring of foreign truck drivers, while competent South African drivers remain unemployed despite having the necessary qualifications.  

PFSF recently obtained an urgent court interdict to prevent the looting of trucks, the harming of drivers and the burning of trucks.

The interdict was granted on May 30 against those believed to be responsible, specifically ATDF leaders Sipho Zungu, Cele Khumbulani, Mncebe Sihle and Nkosenye Buthelezi.

ATDF chairperson Zungu told TimesLIVE that they were innocent and that the case was critical in voicing the concerns of South African drivers. "How can we fight our own people? We cannot ask for jobs and then go and destroy the very same trucks that we would need if we are hired," he said.

Zungu said the foundation had proved to the government that many foreign drivers were employed in SA. "We have come forward and provided the facts. Those that allege we are involved in these attacks, where are their facts? If they have proof that ATDF members are involved, then why have those members not been arrested," he said.

He said he would welcome the arrest of any members found to be involved in any criminal activity. "I stand by police. If an ATDF member is found to be involved in any sort of criminality related to these attacks, then they should be arrested and the law must run its course," he said. 

Zungu said despite the case against the ATDF leadership, nothing would deter them. "People always look at what's going on and are quick to point fingers, but no one wants to look at the root cause of the problem and find a solution.

"I am a victim of unemployment. As we speak, I am sitting at home with my 15 years of truck-driving experience."

Advocate Pria Hassan of the PFSF said they had opened the doors of communications with ATDF but became victims of bullying and intimidation. 

"We will not stand for this. How long will we as an industry be able to tolerate such violence and outright attacks on many of our own people?" she said.

Hassan said the modus operandi of the perpetrators in these attacks was clear.  "They entice violence through communities, promising jobs. What do we do now with all the foreign drivers in SA who have permits that allow them to work?"

Hassan said bigger logistics companies affected have been able to shrug off their losses, but smaller companies are not as privileged. "The smaller guys are not being heard and they are the ones that are really being affected by these attacks," she said.

The day of the trial is set to coincide with a national shutdown. 

In a widely circulated WhatsApp message, truck owners were warned of a looming national strike and that no trucks should operate on the day, which had been billed "Trucking Black Day".

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) in the meantime expressed its disappointment at the government's decision to engage with the PFSF. 

In a media statement on Monday, Satawu said it was worried that the government had given an ear to the PFSF while excluding registered trade unions and employers who are party to the National Bargaining Council (NBC) for the road freight and logistics industry.

"The association is on record for saying South Africans do not possess the required skills to drive their trucks, thereby justifying the employment of undocumented foreign nationals," said the union.

Satawu deputy general secretary Anele Kiet said the element of criminality regarding the destruction of trucks would need to be urgently resolved. "A high level of crime intelligence needs to be deployed to deal with this," he said.  

Kiet warned that if the government did not heed Satawu's calls for intervention, the union would be left with no choice but to approach the NBC and stop all operations regarding the movement of goods. 

Satawu called on the ATDF to register with the NBC so it could voice concerns via a legitimate platform.

KZN premier Sihle Zikalala is expected to provide feedback early next week into the ongoing dispute.