Detawu calls on govt to deploy SANDF to quell violence
The Democratised Transport Logistics and Allied Workers Union (Detawu) has called on government to allocate funds to help companies affected by the latest bout of truck torchings.
Violent protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have seen some 30 trucks damaged and torched since Friday.
The protests is believed to have been sparked by the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma.
Detawu general-secretary Vusi Ntshangase says the protests will plunge the country’s economy further into junk status.
“We urge Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, and Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi to not only publicly condemn this despicable act of violence, but to also seek a lasting solution to the scourge that has been plaguing the industry in recent years.
“We also appeal to both ministers to devise a financial package that will assist companies hardest hit by this latest bout of truck torching.
“It is rather unfortunate, that this latest event has exposed the ineffectiveness of the country’s intelligent services as it failed to detect and arrest this obviously coordinated criminal act.”
Ntshangase also believes the police should have acted quicker.
“We are not convinced that the police are systematically and strategically placed to respond effectively to this event. We call upon President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the South African National Defence Force to reinforce police action and stabilise the situation.”
At the same time, the Federation of Agricultural Organisations has called urged the state to take strong action to quell the violence.
CEO Christo van der Rheede says over R15 million worth of Citrus, which was on its way to Durban harbour for export, has been delayed since Friday.
“On a daily basis we transport approximately R15 million worth of citrus food to the harbour in Durban, I am not certain whether any of the trucks torched, but there were delays and unfortunately it will have a very negative impact on bilateral relations and especially our exports to other countries if our goods do not arrive on time. The overseas market will just close doors and find other suppliers.”
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