Violent protests impacting SA trade, image, warns road freight sector

The N3 and N2 in KwaZulu-Natal have been targeted by groups believed to be protesting against the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma.

Protestors have also targeted freight industry since Friday.

The Road Freight Association’s CEO Gavin Kelly says more than 30 trucks have been destroyed.

“There are companies that may well now be closed forever. There are cargo owners  who are now looking at alternative routes - through Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and even further north.

“We have lost the ‘Gateway to Africa’ status we once held. We are losing more and more transit freight through the country. Some transporters are looking at changing routes, and this affects many small economies along the route: from fuel to refreshments, support and security, whilst others are looking at getting out of a business that only brings tears and more tears.”

Kelly says the cost of the damage is almost impossible to calculate.

“Damages are not only related to the cost of replacing vehicles, cargoes, equipment and the road infrastructure that is destroyed. Yes, these easily run into the millions of rand. The cost to employees in losing their jobs as companies close operations, the loss of income for their families and the support network they provide and the impact that this violence has on the communities they originate and live in, is almost impossible to calculate.”

Meanwhile, Business Unity South Africa (Busa) CEO Cas Coovadia says the protests will have a devastating impact on an already fragile economy and investor confidence.

“Our economy was in recession pre-Covid and has been severely impacted by the pandemic. All responsible South Africans should be uniting to start rebuilding the economy. These acts of sabotage on people and the economy must be met with the full might of the law, and this must be applied in an unequivocal way.”

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