The government is considering implementing laws prohibiting foreign nationals from driving trucks registered in the country without the relevant documents.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the new law would see undocumented truck divers facing the wrath of the law.

This after local truck drivers staged protests on the country’s national roads. Truck drivers complained about foreign nationals driving trucks without South African Professional Driving Permits (PDPs).

Addressing a meeting with the truck industry, Mbalula said every operator in the country must obey the law.

"The Department of Transport is considering [implementing] the law that prohibits foreign nationals who do not have South Africa's PDP [professional driving permit] from driving trucks registered in South Africa.

"In instances where such drivers are undocumented and are on the road unlawfully, law enforcement will be intensified. Driving permits issued outside the country will only be accepted if the truck in question is registered in that country."

Mbalula added when both the N9 and N10 between Middelburg and Nooipoort in the Eastern Cape were blockaded on 25 October, the department engaged with protesters and agreed to address their grievances.

"Their [drivers] demands outlined in their memorandum and verbal engagements covered employment of foreign nationals at the expense of South Africans, conditions of service for truck drivers and PDPs for foreign nationals.

"The Department of Labour has put together a comprehensive response in the form of legislative amendments that are in Cabinet and will be published for comments as agreed. "An instruction to trucking companies to stop employing foreign nationals as demanded [by drivers] is unconstitutional. It is on the basis that due process must be followed to run its course," he said.

A meeting with protesters was held to consider an agreement that commits both truck drivers and small truck operators to set up a small technical team that will engage with the government on the issues raised. Mbalula said the process would have begun on October 26.

"Following the signature of the agreement, the blockade of roads was subsequently lifted. Despite the commitments and concession by the government, it later became apparent that underlying interests led to the continuous blockading of roads.

"On 3 December, the N3 freeway in KwaZulu-Natal was later blockaded with similar demands. With the assistance of the police, those trucks were removed and towed away.

"The freeway was ultimately opened for traffic. The following day, reports were received that other truck drivers were beginning to block the N2 freeway outside Piet Retief in KwaZulu-Natal," Mbalula said.

"However, law enforcement authorities responded swiftly and diffused their attempts before the road could be completely blocked. Their main demand remains the continuous employment of foreign nationals by [truck) companies.

"It must be emphasised that blocking a national road is a criminal offence. The government will not tolerate lawlessness and infringement of the rights of other motorists." He added part of the problem was that the government would agree with truck drivers - but they would later return and block roads.

"We are seeking to have a task team led by the labour department to look into the implementation of all matters we have agreed on," said Mbalula.