Truck Driver Arrested in KwaZulu-Natal Operation
Pietermaritzburg – A truck driver from Zimbabwe has been apprehended for driving under the influence as part of the ongoing #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation, spearheaded by the provincial MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.
The undocumented driver was stopped during a significant road safety initiative at the Mkhondeni Weighbridge near Pietermaritzburg, with authorities stating that he was on the verge of causing a serious accident.
Overall, 98 trucks were inspected, and 47 drivers were interviewed, resulting in the detention of five undocumented foreign nationals. Some were discovered to possess counterfeit documents. Notably, one Zimbabwean individual was found transporting European tourists without a valid permit.
A Zimbabwean bus carrying foreign passengers was also stopped and subjected to scrutiny by officials from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), SAPS Dog Unit, and Home Affairs Immigration Unit.
Duma emphasized the province’s commitment to making roads safer and safeguarding both truck drivers and the public from exploitation and unsafe practices. “We aim to expose exploitative behavior, financial fraud, and human rights abuses within certain sectors of the logistics and freight industry,” he stated.
Interviews with truck drivers revealed critical labor violations such as the absence of written contracts, unlawful deductions from wages, lack of payslips, and the substitution of South African drivers with undocumented workers. Some companies reportedly paid bribes to evade law enforcement and compelled drivers to work excessive hours without adequate rest or overtime compensation.
The MEC confirmed that RTI has been instructed to take legal action against company owners violating regulations, warning that those who “convert our roadways into danger zones” will face accountability. The #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation is backed by various partners, including SAPS, the Department of Labour, and the Cross Border Road Transport Agency.
Duma concluded by encouraging honest trucking operators to join forces in restoring integrity within the industry.
