ZAMBIAN TRUCKERS ORDERED TO PARK IN SECURE PARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA AMID PROTEST FEARS
By Raphael Mulenga
The SADC Truckers Association of Zambia has instructed all its member drivers currently operating in South Africa to immediately park their trucks at secure truck parks as nationwide anti-immigration protests get underway today.
South Africa is bracing for nationwide anti-immigration protests and calls by civic groups for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, with deadline taking effect today, June 30.
Association General Secretary Kaiko Wamunyima says the directive remains in force until the security situation is assessed and deemed safe for normal operations.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Wamunyima said the association has also engaged the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, to establish how any emergency repatriation process would be handled should any Zambian drivers become victims of the demonstrations.
Mr. Wamunyima said the precautionary measures come as concerns mount over the impact of the protests on cross-border trade and regional transport, with Zambia heavily dependent on South African routes for the movement of imports and exports.
Meanwhile, government through the ministry of transport and logistics could not be reached for a comment, as several attempts to contact permanent secretary Fredrick Mwalusaka on the matter were unsuccessful.
PHOENIX NEWS