TSOLO – Truck operators in the Eastern Cape blocked roads on Monday in protest against the impounding of their trucks for allegedly extracting and selling river sand without permits.

The operators called on the Department of Mineral Resources to engage with them about the permit application process and the requirements for extracting and selling river sand.

Transkei Truck Association co-ordinator Zenande Mngcele confirmed that members had blocked roads at Tsolo Junction in Tsolo, demanding that department officials meet with them following the recent impounding of their trucks in different towns.

He confirmed that Tsolo Junction and Qumbu had been blocked, while Ngcobo and KwaBhaca were also affected.

Mngcele said the operators wanted the department to explain the permit application process and the requirements for extracting and selling river sand.

“They are demanding that we must have a licence to sell sand that we are fetching in the rivers. What is painful is that they never told us anything about the permit. We want them to come and workshop us about this so that we know which channels to follow when we want to apply for those permits,” he said.

Mngcele said the department had demanded fines of R100,000 for the release of their trucks and R20,000 for the release of drivers who had been arrested.

Although the association had negotiated the release of the drivers, some trucks remained impounded, he said.

Another association member, Davi Mcelu, said the situation was severely affecting operators who relied on selling sand to support their families.

He said finding alternative employment would be difficult because of his age, adding that the income from their trucks helped them provide for their families and pay for their children’s education.

“We want government to come and talk with us so that we know what we must do, not to just impound our trucks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the Eastern Cape Department of Transport had urged motorists to exercise caution and patience as protest action disrupted traffic on several major routes on Monday, particularly in the eastern parts of the province.

Binqose said the affected areas included sections of the N2 in eMaxesibeni, KwaBhaca and Qumbu. He said the situation had remained volatile, with traffic law enforcement officers managing traffic and police working to disperse protesters.

Motorists had been urged to remain vigilant, follow instructions from law enforcement officers and avoid affected areas where possible.

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