The Department of Transport (DoT) says foreign nationals will soon be unable to drive South African-registered trucks while in possession of foreign professional driving permits (PDPs).
The DoT in April published an amendment to the Road Traffic Act regulations, which incorporates a provision that a PDP issued by a foreign country will only be applicable to a vehicle registered in that country.
“Once this regulation comes into effect, a foreign national will, therefore, not be permitted to drive a South African-registered truck using a foreign PDP.
“The amendments to the regulations are now before Parliament for comment as required by law, and we anticipate publishing amended regulations by the end of November.”
The DoT responded to the renewed closures of national roads (the N9, N10 and N3) by South African truck drivers and small truck operators last month in protest against the employment of foreign nationals as truck drivers at South African companies.
In addition to the amended regulations, the DoT says it is also strengthening the process of validating and verifying immigration documents, work permits and foreign driver’s licences.
“In the case of driver’s licences, a synchronised process between countries is proposed. This will ensure that operators are afforded the same treatment in the dispatching and receiving countries.”
“Our national Road Traffic Act requires foreign operators to make use of an operator permit/card,” adds the DoT.
“The rationale for such a provision is to enable government to manage situations where an operator does not follow the relevant laws in South Africa.
“These cards will have a one-year validity period and noncompliance with relevant laws will result in the deregistration of the operator in question.”
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed his appreciation for “the peaceful manner in which the [truck drivers] conducted their protests”.
“We have invited their leaders to sit around the table in order for them to have a better appreciation of the measures we are putting in place in addressing their demands.
“We are committed to ensuring that the interventions, which also affect other sectors in a similar manner, will be given the necessary impetus within the confines of the law.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has mandated an inter-Ministerial committee, led by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, to address the concerns raised by the protesting parties.
“In tackling these challenges, we are mindful of the economic impact of any disruption to supply chains, freight logistics across the country and the Southern African Development Community region,” notes the DoT.
The department says it has made “a firm commitment” to address the matter in a sustainable manner.
“Some of these interventions may, however, require a longer runway, as they may require legislative amendments.”