Protesting truck drivers cause congestion on N3 highway

Protesting truck drivers cause congestion on N3 highway

Cape Town – Truck drivers barricaded the N3 toll route near Montrose in the Free State with trucks on Tuesday morning.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed that around 30 truck drivers had parked their trucks on the N3, “closing the road totally”, News24 reported.

“They are demanding to see Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. Their main grievance is foreign truck drivers being allowed to drive trucks in the country. The drivers are peaceful and just standing around. No acts of violence have been reported,” the report quoted Makhele as saying.

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Minister Fikile Mbalula on Monday received a petition from the protesting truck drivers.

Addressing the drivers, minister Mbalula said he was going to look at the memorandum and make a decision on each of the points raised.

“For me to do that I’ll have to sit down and to tell you the truth I don’t want you to come back and remind me. I’ve received the memorandum but I’m not going to assure you that everything will be sorted by tonight, some of the grievances outlined I’m aware of and have to meet your leadership and reach solution amicably,” Mbalula said.

According to SABC News, the truck drivers have vowed to continue to blockade the entry points from Colesburg.

The truck drivers’ spokesperson, Lungile Toyi said: “We as SA drivers have decided to give 7 days the minister is demanding but in that 7 days we’ll remain in this position until he fixes whatever issue needs to be fixed but we’ll remain here as truck drivers.”

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Compiled by Reginald Nhlapo

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