Around 1000 truck drivers have stalled traffic between Bloemhof and Wolmaranstand, demanding that South African trucking companies prioritize South African drivers over foreign nationals.
The drivers who have been on strike since Tuesday have vowed to continue until transport minister Fikile Mbalula addresses their issues.
Truck driver Lefaso Mohome said foreign nationals stifle the country’s economy.
“They come here to work, take the money back to their home countries, and leave South Africans with nothing. The problem with foreign countries is that they are willing to work for less money, which is why companies don’t want to hire us and choose them instead,” he said.
He said most accidents that have been reported in the country were as a result of a foreign national truck driver. “If you pay attention to the news and look into big accidents that killed many people, you will find out that the truck was driven by a foreign national.”
All truck drivers forum and elite South Africa spokesperson, Sfiso Nyathi, said they have exhausted all channels for intervention.
“In South Africa, 80 % of truck drivers are foreign nationals. We have engaged with previous ministers and other stakeholders, but our plea fell on deaf ears. We will strike until Fikile Mbalula comes down here and address our problems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign nationals truck drivers were left stranded as their vehicles were halted. They said they were trapped and starving in the middle of nowhere, where they were forced to park.
“I am from Botswana; I have been here since Tuesday night; I don’t have food or water to drink. I need to hitch-hike so that I can go to town, and it’s not easy because motorist who passes here hardly stops,” he said.
The mayor of the Lekwa Teemane local municipality ,Sebang Motlhabi, noted the town’s economy has been harmed by the two-day truck drivers’ strike.
He said that his municipality would do all possible to engage necessary parties, particularly Minister Fikile Mbalula, through the provincial government’s intervention, to address the grievances of the truck drivers.
“This has had an impact on the local economy; shops, petrol stations, and even those who need to return to work cannot do so due to the strike. I’ve spoken with the provincial transport MEC to explore how we can best assist and get Minister Fikile Mbalula to come here,” he said.
Law enforcement officials are still monitoring the situation.