City condemns attacks on freight operators

11 July 2020

Statement by the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase

The City of Cape Town’s local economy can ill afford the recent spate of attacks on freight operators. Now, more than ever, we need to preserve jobs, create new job opportunities, and grow our economy

Our local and regional economy is based on global trade and depends largely on the efficient road-based transport of cargo to and from the port, airport and between cities and towns. Thousands rely on this industry for jobs – be it the truck drivers, those employed by the factories that produce and package the goods to be transported, or the employees at the very start of the value chain.

COVID-19 is challenging us like never before.

The financial hardship and devastating impact on residents’ livelihoods is evident.

More and more people are relying on the government for survival.

Local government is also taking strain. Our financial resources are shrinking.

Now is the time to be diligent, for all of us.

As the City, we have to be innovative in how and where we spend our limited budget and resources to keep on providing essential services to our residents. The wilful destruction of private and public property is criminal and if allowed to continue, will mean there simply won’t be enough budget to keep fixing what gets destroyed.

We need to grow our economy, and create more job opportunities. The spate of violent attacks on freight operators the past few weeks have the very opposite effect – they are destroying the economy, livelihoods, and are putting lives in danger.

The City of Cape Town is not involved in the dispute but I am told that truckers across South Africa are objecting to the employment of foreign drivers. If a foreign national is in South Africa legally and has a work permit, then they are permitted to work. That is the law. The only possible complaint can be if the person is in the country illegally.
 
Also, it must be recognised that South African truck drivers frequently carry loads across borders. What will happen to them if the local people are angered by the treatment of their countrymen and feel the need to retaliate?   

To my knowledge, the South African Police Service has not made a single arrest as yet in connection with these incidents. This is extremely disappointing and worrying, because it signals the message that those who are responsible will get away with these criminal acts.

I will be contacting the Provincial Police Commissioner to ask what action is being taken to stop the violence and to arrest these criminals. 

I am also urging the community to please report any information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Contact the SAPS, or the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63, the TIC is available 24/7.

We can overcome COVID-19, and other challenges when we work together as one City.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office