TRUCK drivers using the Lebombo Border post between Mpumalanga and Mozambique say they are gatvol of being abused by taxi drivers.
They claimed that the taxi drivers' assault, intimidate and rob them of their possessions. The drivers said that this has been happening for some time.
A truck driver told Daily Sun that this happened while they were queuing to be processed. The driver claimed taxi drivers came armed to intimidate them.
"They even go as far as assaulting other drivers and deflating the tyres of their trucks. They accuse them of blocking the road. There are many similar incidents that have taken place in the last few weeks," he said.
He said that they now feared for their lives and safety.
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"We are here to work for our families. They expect us to come home in one piece and if we are treated like this, we might even lose our lives. The border system is too slow and puts us as truck drivers at risk," he said.
Another driver called on the government to intervene.
"We are all trying to earn a living. They are also expected to put food on the table, just like us. We cannot be treated like this. The government has to intervene," he said.
In 2022, the truck drivers blocked the route and called on the government to intervene after a group of unknown people attacked and robbed them.
Lebombo Taxi Association chairman Macabane Nkalanga denied the allegations. He said no one was assaulted or intimidated.
"We have been talking to the Department of Community Safety and the police about trucks blocking the road for other road users, but nothing has been done. When truck drivers jump the queue, we stop them. That's the only thing we do. They lie that we are assaulting them. We have never done that," he said
Daily Sun has seen a video showing a truck driver interacting with three men identified as people in the taxi industry. One of the men is seen holding a sjambok. The driver is heard asking them if it is lawful for them to say they will deflate the truck tyres.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said no formal complaints have been received so far. He said police were patrolling the route.
