Authorities in KwaZulu-Natal are finalizing safety and contingency measures ahead of a planned truck drivers’ protest scheduled for Saturday on key national corridors, including the N3 and N2. The All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDF-ASA) confirmed the action, citing persistent concerns over the employment of undocumented foreign nationals within the freight sector—a move expected to affect freight movement and daily commuters.
Ndabe Sibiya, spokesperson for the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, outlined the provincial department’s response. While the MEC was unavailable for comment due to scheduling conflicts, Sibiya affirmed the office’s support for lawful, peaceful protest and referenced prior engagements between the MEC and ATDF-ASA leadership.
“Collective wisdom must always prevail, and we must all pull together in the same direction,” Sibiya said, emphasizing that expression of grievances must occur within legal boundaries.
Coordinated Law Enforcement Deployment
To maintain order and ensure road user safety, the department has activated over 2,000 Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers under Operation Chanela. These personnel are being strategically positioned across the province’s 34,000 kilometers of road infrastructure. Coordination extends to municipal traffic services, the eThekwini Metro Police, and the South African Police Service (SAPS), with Lieutenant General Latham serving as the primary liaison for operational planning.
Sibiya noted these efforts align with earlier provincial initiatives, such as the #HlalaUphi campaign conducted along the N3 corridor last year, which targeted irregular documentation among commercial drivers. He also referenced a 2020 port decongestion committee—established under the sixth provincial administration—which examined truck driver welfare and underscored the necessity of multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Documented Industry Concerns
The spokesperson validated several grievances raised by local truck drivers during past consultations. These include: lack of formal written employment contracts; retaliatory dismissals following workplace complaints; absence of payslips; unauthorized wage deductions; and cash-based remuneration practices involving undocumented foreign workers. Sibiya also cited recurring incidents in which foreign national drivers fled the scene of fatal accidents in the province—events previously covered by national media.
“Addressing companies that employ undocumented foreign nationals requires us to look at the entire logistics chain, including port operations,” Sibiya explained. He stressed that freight flowing through Durban’s ports necessitates cooperation with Transnet, terminal operators, and port authorities to effectively tackle systemic issues.
Multi-Departmental Strategy for Resolution
Progress toward a sustainable solution is being advanced through a national integrated approach. Sibiya pointed to a recent program of action announced by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, which involves multiple deputy ministers. Notably, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has been assigned a lead role, with the Department of Employment and Labour also participating in the coordinated response.
At the provincial level, MEC Siboniso Duma is directing Human Settlements officials to conduct inspections of RDP housing units, following intelligence that some undocumented foreign nationals are residing in these properties—either as tenants or otherwise. Sibiya confirmed the existence of a verified database listing companies suspected of employing undocumented foreign workers. Although oversight of the relevant interdepartmental committee was transferred from the Department of Transport to the Premier’s Office during recent governmental reconfiguration, Sibiya affirmed that technical staff remain mandated to develop and implement a turnaround strategy.
“The Minister of Home Affairs is the custodian of the Immigration Act at the national level,” Sibiya noted, adding that MEC Duma has committed to visible, hands-on involvement to accelerate resolution of these matters.
Emphasis on Accountability and Public Safety
While reassuring residents that the department remains fully committed to its mandate, Sibiya underscored that protest organizers share responsibility for ensuring their actions remain peaceful and lawful. He expressed confidence in SAPS leadership to execute contingency plans with diligence, balancing constitutional rights with public safety imperatives.
As Saturday approaches, provincial authorities continue to call for dialogue, restraint, and cooperation among all stakeholders to address the structural employment challenges within the trucking industry while minimizing disruption to essential services and commuters.
