The South African All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF) has demanded the abolition of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) 12 month grace period, which expires on 31 December 2022.
ATDF wants all foreign truck drivers working in South Africa to be banned from working in the neighbouring country’s trucking industry.
Zimbabwe Community in South Africa chairman, Nqabutho Mabhena on Monday said they expect the South African government to protect the rights of migrant workers. Said Mabhena:
The truckers have the right to raise the issues affecting them, but we remain guided by the position taken by the SA government on November 24, 2021, that ZEP holders will have a grace period of 12 months to stay in that country.
The SA Labour minister Thulas Nxesi was clear that the rights of migrants must be protected and we expect the State to protect migrants who are in South Africa.
If the South African government bans migrants from working in the trucking industry that would be a different issue, but currently those with permits are allowed to work in the trucking industry.
Meanwhile, groups of truck drivers handed over a memorandum of demand to the offices of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry.
ATDF general-secretary Sifiso Nyathi said they will engage Nxesi and the Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi over their demand to have ZEP permits abolished forthwith.