N3 highway reopens
The Road Freight Association advised on July 16 that the N3 highway has re-opened to all traffic.
While congestion due to the high traffic volumes was anticipated, the vital task of delivering goods both countrywide and beyond borders could resume.
Ministers Ebrahim Patel (Trade and Industry), Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Small Business Development), Mmamoloko Kubayi (Tourism) and Pravin Gordhan (Public Enterprise)met with truck drivers and business heads at the Heidelberg weighbridge at 9:00 on July 18 as trucks filled with food supplies left for KZN.
“The N3 highway at Heidelberg is a snapshot of what is currently happening in South Africa in an effort to rebuild our nation and urgently resupply supermarkets and shops,” Patel said.
“We are doing our best to get essentials into where they are needed and to address the massive backlog that has occurred as a result of the happenings over the past week,” said Gavin Kelly, chief executive officer of the Road Freight Association (RFA).
According to Werner Pelser, weighbridge supervisor, 965 trucks went through the weighbridge en route to KZN over the past 24 hours on Sunday morning.
“The N3 is most critical in the resupply of shops and businesses in KZN and we are delighted that the road is open again,” said Patel.
“Truck drivers put their lives on the line daily and we are extremely proud to see their dedication. They are the real heroes,” Gordhan said.
The SAPS and SANDF were also present to ensure the safety and security of the drivers and the goods transported.
“We have been on duty for long hours since Sunday manning the 24-hour roadblock at the weighbridge,” said Const Bongani Masangu as they screened cars and taxis passing by.
SPAR risk manager Charles Louwings said that they lost 140 stores across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
“Our first priority is to clean up. We will rebuild all stores while we will reach out to the community that was most affected through food parcels and soup kitchens,” Louwings said.
The RFA advised that they were doing their best under trying circumstances to ensure that no one endured food, fuel and medicine shortages while working closely with compatriots in the retail sector to allow them to re-supply stores.
“While what has happened has had an enormous impact on every company and every person in South Africa, it has been heartening to witness communities coming together, protecting what is theirs and actively working together to start rebuilding what we have lost,” Kelly added.
The protection of trucks, the employees, the loads and distribution centres remain paramount for the RFA and they called upon law enforcement to remain active and vigilant in protecting the N3.
As the SPAR trucks got the green light to leave, Desmond Borrageiro, divisional managing director at SPAR, said that the group was encouraged by the support from the government and the resilience of the people as the nation came together.
He also added that their shops in KZN were hit the hardest and with the N3 open again, they could start to rebuild shops while providing food to the most needy.
With the presence of the SANDF vehicles along the N3 highway, truck drivers can be reassured that their safety is a priority.
