Association laments delays truckers face at SA’s borders

The Truckers Association of South Africa has warned that the long waiting period for cross-border trucks during the Easter long weekend is costly for them.

Some truck drivers using Ramatlabama Border Post, outside Mahikeng in the North West, say they have been in the queue towards the border for long hours.

The Association says this may cost truck operators their clients.

Trucks that transport cargo to different parts of the African continent have formed a queue that stretches for about two to three kilometers at Ramatlabama Border Post between South Africa and Botswana.

The Truckers Association of South Africa’s Deputy President Tonny Modise says these delays have greatly affected their operations.

“When it’s increasing traveling time for the trucker, he has to in the truck. At night it gets really cold and he has to keep on idling, keep that truck idle to warm up. That also increases the cost of traveling. The long-term effects would be them not being able to cover their operating costs and when they are not able to cover their operating costs, they won’t be able to finance their credit. Not being able to finance your credit, this means that the bank will come and take your vehicle.”