National joint operations and intelligence structure (Natjoints) co-chair Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili has warned truck drivers to handle their grievances lawfully after threats of highway closures in protest at the hiring of foreign nationals.
Natjoints is led by the police, the defence force and State Security Agency. “We are aware of social media posts calling for a national shutdown by a group of truck drivers this week.” she said on Sunday.
“As previously communicated, there will be zero tolerance towards threats, intimidation and closure of our roads.”
Truckers blocked highways in KwaZulu-Natal after former president Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment on contempt of court charges in 2021, bringing major freight routes to a standstill. Freeman Bhengu of the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF-ASA) said in posts on X on Sunday that the organisation would embark on a national shutdown on Monday to protest at foreign nationals driving SA-registered trucks.
Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly called on the ATDF-SA to restrain its members from violence and respect groups that were not party to their grievances.
“Whilst the RFA understands their grievances regarding the department of employment & labour, the RFA is concerned that the protest action may result in violence and injury to innocent drivers, as well as damage to innocent transport companies,” he said.
No lawlessness or any form of criminal activity would be tolerated, said Mosikili at a media briefing in the run-up to the May 29 general election.
The ANC is to face its toughest election yet, as it is widely expected to lose its majority for the first time.
Mosikili urged the public to exercise caution and fact-check before sharing posts about the elections on social media.
“One of our biggest threats at the moment is fake news. We strongly condemn the spreading of fake news, unverified information, rumours or threats, as this seeks to cause panic and confusion, and in some instances incite possible violence,” she said.
Criminal
People found to be sharing inflammatory messages and inciting violence would face criminal charges, she said.
Mosikili would not be drawn on measures planned to safeguard the integrity of the elections in specific provinces or locations, saying only that 650 voting stations had been identified as hotspots.
“Having conducted a national security assessment with key role players in the justice, crime prevention and security cluster, we are satisfied with the operational plan that is being implemented, and can assure South Africans that a conducive environment for a peaceful election has been prepared,” she said.
All provinces were ready for the election and had put the necessary measures in place to prevent violence and criminality before, during and after votes were cast, she said.
A Natjoints co-ordination centre would be activated a week before the election, which would operate until June 9. It would ensure “a swift, prompt and co-ordinated response” to any reported incidents, she said.
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