Trucking criminality: Premier’s words ring hollow as KZN remains on a knife edge

17 July 2023

Assurances by KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube – that government is addressing criminality including the torching of trucks – ring hollow as the people of our province remain on a knife edge.

According to the Premier, efforts are being made to reduce court backlogs to deal with such offenders, yet the reality is that despite such promises since 2018, there have been no results. No suspects have been arrested and trucking companies’ livelihood remain in the hands of criminals.

Neither the Premier nor her current MEC for Community Safety and Transport, Sipho Hlomuka, are up to the task of ensuring the safety of our province’s people. This is highlighted by the fact that the province has had to call for back up from the SANDF.

KZN needs proactive measures to put an immediate end to such criminality and save what is left of our economy. This must include a viable strategy that includes all stakeholders to allow for proper organisation. If the horrific events of the July 2021 unrest taught us anything, it is that there was shocking co-ordination between law enforcement and the SANDF. This must be avoided at all costs.

An increase in crime must also translate into additional law enforcement - before criminality has occurred rather than afterwards. Despite this obvious solution, KZN SAPS and Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) remain severely understaffed.

Criminality within law enforcement must also be addressed with lifestyle audits within SAPS. This issue is highlighted by the recent arrest of an off-duty SAPS officer, allegedly involved in truck hijacking and the sale of stolen tyres.

KZN’s people must be free to go about their daily lives without fear. The DA calls for the following immediate measures to be implemented:

- Consistent law enforcement on our roads;

- 24-hour patrols at key hot spot areas;

- The deployment of additional law enforcement officers, with proper management and a proper shift system;

- More, properly functioning cameras with number plate recognition and;

- The drone technology we have been promised before - modern technology must be used to stay ahead of criminals

KZN’s people can no longer continue to suffer under an incompetent government. The DA expects the Premier and her MEC to act with intent.

Issued by Sharon Hoosen, DA KZN Spokesperson on Transport and Community Safety, 17 July 2023