SAPS
Business Unity SA has repeated its call on the government to address issues in the trucking industry that has led to another blockade of the N3 route between Johannesburg and Durban.
The N3 Toll Concession Company also confirmed on Thursday that Van Reenen's Pass remained closed due to trucks blocking the route in both directions.
Truck drivers in North West have also partially blocked the R34 and N12 between Bloemhof and Wolmaransstad.
In a statement on Thursday, BUSA said it noted the blockade with serious concern, saying it was a recurring occurrence and that government must take proactive measures to stop such blockages and arrest those that are responsible.
"It is very clear that our appeals have not been heeded and there appears to be no accountability in government for this and we do not see any consequences for those perpetrating these acts," said Busa CEO, Cas Coovadia.
He said the economic impact of such blockages is obvious, given that the N3 is a critical arterial for the transport of essential and strategic goods between Johannesburg and Durban, and to areas like Richards Bay.
"We despair at the silence from the Minister of Transport about this significant disruption of economic activity, at a time when the country needs to instill confidence amongst investors and put SA onto a sustainable growth path," he said.
Coovadia said Busa considers this continued disruption of economic activity "a crisis" and he asks the President to intervene.
"We will seek a meeting with the President to raise our concerns and to get a commitment that this matter will be given the urgent attention it requires," Coovadia said.
On Tuesday, truck drivers protesting the employment of foreign nationals blocked off the N3 on both sides between Warden and Villiers in the Free State, and they've vowed to keep it up until their concerns are addressed.
