WeeklySA_AdminGRIDLOCK: Scores of truck drivers frustrated by being stuck for up to five days in winding queues, waiting to be processed to cross over to Mozambique…
By Bongani Hlatshwayo
KOMATIPOORT – Truck drivers have continued to besiege the N4 freeway leading to the border post with Mozambique for many months unending, with basically no solution in sight from the Border Management, the police, traffic officials who, in this case, should intervene and necessitate a truce between these warring parties:the trucks drivers who have endured ongoing strife of queuing and awaiting to be processed to cross over to Mozambique for 4-5 days.
On the other hand, the local taxi association was left frustrated through the blockading of the freeway by the trucks which have led to bitter frustrations between the two parties.
In the brink of the ongoing conflicts, it’s alleged that the truck drivers retaliated against the taxi association by burning two of their patrol vehicles which can be spotted at the intersection of the N4 and Mananga roads in Komatipoort.
That incident preceded a march by the truck drivers who delivered a petition to the Border Management, key among which, the severe delay in processing their documents that has resulted in them spending 4-5 days awaiting their opportunity to cross over. In the same note, whilst awaiting their turn, they are allegedly attacked and some abused, especially during the night, a fact that has evoked the ire to avenge themselves, whilst ignoring the rules on South African roads.
Whilst the truckers’ queue stretches for about 36 or more kilometres along the freeway, the congestion has led the truckers to occupy the more than two lanes facing the Lebombo Border Post, thus closing access to traffic from the border post towards Malalane-Mbombela and beyond.
A heated meeting took place at the BMA’s boardroom situated at the border post comprising of representatives of the truck drivers, taxi associations, discussing issues pertaining to the petition submitted, key among which were the acceleration of processing time.
I was privy to a report-back feedback that was met with much discontent by a majority of the truck drivers, but anyway, one clear message was that the stalemate was unchained and queues would start moving once again – all hell broke loose as their impatience came to the fore with the trucks clamouring for the front, thus causing chaos.
That was after more than 2-3 hours effort by the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe who energetically arrived at the scene and frantically engaged with truck drivers who had their vehicles protruding from their designated lanes and those blockading the N4 being parked across the road – whilst dismantling those, right upfront to the Mananga intersection, the trucks blockaded the road once again.
By the time the MEC and Provincial Commissioner’s motorcade was preparing to leave the scene, it’s when we realised that all the afternoon’s task of realigning the trucks was all a futile exercise as we followed from behind, believing there would be a smooth thoroughfare, no ways, as we reached a cul-de-sac of trucks blockading the road – u-turn back towards Mananga intersection to escape via the R571, we couldn’t reach it.
By the grace of the Almighty, our driver was clever enough to decide to turn into Komatipoort town, whereby, we found our way towards Marloth Park around -19.00 already. We sped off and reached Mbombela around 20.00 and we breathed a sigh of relief that we had actually escaped a near death scenario, whereby, we were nearly held captive by the angry truck drivers.
No wonder we awoke to an SAPS statement stating that two trucks were torched around 01.30 on Saturday morning. However, the two taxi patrol burnt vehicles, we found them on arrival on Friday morning.
According to the police statement: “The two burning incidents were as a result of intolerance which is believed to emanate from misunderstanding between taxi associations and truck operators, which nearly claimed one life and resulted in two taxi patrol vehicles and two trucks torched in Komatipoort yesterday (Friday) morning and this morning (Saturday), respectively.
“The incident came as a result of dissatisfaction by the truck operators about the services at the border post, whereby, taxi operators responded following the blockade on the national road.
“A confrontation ensued between the two parties. It is alleged that during that confrontation, a firearm was discharged, injuring one of the truck drivers who was immediately rushed to hospital for medical attention. “In retaliation, it is alleged that truck drivers torched two vehicles belonging to the association at about 07:30.
“A case of attempted murder was reported at Komatipoort SAPS, whilst there was no formal case yet reported for malicious damage to property following the damaged taxi patrol vehicles. Police in Komatipoort registered a public violence report.
“In the early hours of this morning (Saturday) at about 01:30, two trucks were torched and a case of malicious damage to property was registered.
Investigation on the incidents have since been launched.” The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela condemned the acts of violence and requested the involved parties to bring the relevant departments on board to come up with an amicable solution.
“We cannot allow the situation, whereby, people’s lives are at stake whereas there are possible solutions,” warned the General.
According to MEC Vusi Shongwe: “Here the problem is the congestion of the trucks. I must admit, they are too many. Some of them do not have the necessary documents to go through to Mozambique. Those who the right documentation are stuck up with those who are not in possession of the right documents.
“You can imagine that the trucks congestion stretches up to 36 kilometres. It’s a terrible situation. I want to condemn what has happened here between the truck drivers and the taxi owners. The provincial commissioner, who is here, has given a clear instruction that the perpetrators of the arson on the taxi patrol vehicles and the torched trucks, must be arrested whether they are from either party,” he stated. Questioned of the congestion problem being an old unresolved problem on the N4, Shongwe said: “Yes, it’s quite correct the problem has been there for some time.
To be honest, this is not a problem for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison. “It involves a number of departments. Firstly, it’s a well known fact that the BMA is the one managing the border post, the SAPS is also part of this problem, including the department of agriculture and many more.
“I’ve been calling for the acquisition of land here where we can build a truck depot. That would necessitate that those trucks without the necessary documents, can have a safe place to await their processing procedure away from the N4 and being safe at all times. “That move will protect truck drivers and owners from criminal elements who are also exploiting the situation. These criminals pounce at night, which causes much worry from myself and the premier, too. How long will this situation go on unabated?
“As I’m here, the premier is aware that I’m here and ever since I arrived, there’s much change and a lot of movement of the trucks, opening up the road and sticking to their lanes. I’m faced with one frustration here, if I leave now, the situation is likely to revert to the original situation I found here. I’m worried about that,“ Shongwe lamented.
Questioned about change of system of processing documentation at the border post, he said:”That’s the responsibility of the BMA to manage the processes at the border. They must revise their strategy so that there’s a turnaround system that will drastically reduce the processing time and bring about normalcy to the traffic flow here.”
“People must bear in mind that the road is under the jurisdiction of the South African Constitution. Anyone found flouting or distressing the laws of the country, will be arrested and prosecuted,” concluded Shongwe.
