THE queuing of truck drivers at the Oshoek Port entry poses a threat to their lives and well-being.
This is as a result of an increase in the number of trucks that are now crossing to Eswatini using this port of entry.
Normally the border processes 1 500 trucks a day but now it has increased to 1 700. The truck drivers have attributed this rise to the slow processing of their documents.
Sipho Mthimunye, who has been queuing since Tuesday, 19 December, told Daily Sun they are even scared to sleep because criminals take advantage and rob them of their valuables as well as the goods they're transporting.
He said since there has been an increase in the number of trucks using the border, their lives have been under threat.
"If it happens that you fall asleep, you will wake up with nothing. Criminals are taking everything, including spare wheels. We now don't feel safe," he said.
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Bonginkosi Shabangu said most truck drivers find themselves defying the rules because they fear being at the back of the queues.
He said: "We are now not obeying to the rules that the management of this border has set because of fear. Police only patrol at the front and don't go beyond. We get frustrated and force our way to the front of the queue. We hope that they will fix the processing issue soon."
Another trucker Xolani Mabuza said they were now in the same position as the drivers who queue to be processed through Mozambique at the Lebombo port of entry.
Mpumalanga Community Safety MEC Vusi Shongwe visited the Oshoek Port of entry on Wednesday, 20 December.
He called on companies to assist the police by hiring private security to fight crime.
"The challenges are sometimes on the truck owners and not the drivers' side. They come to the border without proper documentation. That's one of the issues that we must give full responsibility to the truck owners. They should try and deal with the issue in order to avoid the long queues," he said.
