Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula have pleaded with truck drivers to re-open the N10 road at Middelburg in the Eastern Cape.
This is as truck drivers have vowed to continue with blockading the entry points from Colesburg over dissatisfaction with the employment of foreign nationals as drivers.
The blockade began yesterday, prompting a quick visit by the two ministers.
Nxesi has asked for the formation of a committee to facilitate negotiations.
“If you feel three weeks is too much, can’t we make it two weeks? And then we have this committee suggested by the minister and sit and have the discussion. But in the meantime, sivule apha (open in Xhosa ) because the economy is affected. That’s what I’m suggesting. Give us a committee we can speak to. If it means we’ve to sit till early hours, set up clear programmes, we will do that.”
Eastern Cape – N10 Route (Update): Truck Driver protest / unrest at Middelburg – ROAD CLOSED pic.twitter.com/rDvqNBhMMd
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) October 25, 2021
Meanwhile, the truck drivers have agreed to give the government seven days to resolve the issue but have refused to remove their vehicles.
“We, as SA drivers, have decided to give the seven days the minister is demanding, but in that seven days we’ll remain in this position, until he fixes whatever issue needs to be fixed, but we’ll remain here as truck drivers,” says Truck drivers’ Spokesperson, Lungile Toyi.
Truck driver strike has negatively affected the economy:
