Cape Town – The South African government is set to meet with truckers following a protest on Thursday in which truck drivers blocked the crucial N3 Toll Route which links the inland provinces with the port cities of Durban and Richards Bay.
According to Fin24, the drivers used their trucks to block the road in both directions, on Van Reenen’s Pass and at the Tugela Plaza.
They demanded an end to the hiring of foreign nationals and the high cost of fuel.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said that he had discussed the issue with Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.
ALSO READ: WATCH | Truck drivers block part of N3 in protest over ’employment of foreign nationals’
“I have been working around the clock with Ministers Nxesi and Motsoaledi and affected stakeholders to address the issues raised by the truck drivers and small truck operators. We have taken note of the complaints about the sluggish pace of implementing interventions in areas that we have agreed on,” News24 quoted Mbalula as saying.
Mbalula said that a follow-up engagement would take place on Sunday.
“A follow-up engagement is scheduled for Sunday, June 19, with all the stakeholders. We must ensure all appreciate that we all have a responsibility to ensure that economic activity is not hampered as this will inevitably lead to job losses as a result of economic downturn,” he said, according to IOL.
Four truck drivers, aged 40 to 59, were reportedly arrested for “economic sabotage”.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
