Truck protest stops traffic
ASKING government how many deaths are too many, about 100 people gathered at the intersection of South Coast Road and Solomon Mahlangu Drive (Edwin Swales VC) on the morning of Friday, 27 September to protest against trucks on residential roads.
The protest was organised in response to the death of 23 people in the tragic Field’s Hill truck accident on Thursday, 5 September.
Residents and members of 15 local organisations banded together to form an anti-trucking coalition to call for a stop to trucks on the M13 and within suburbs and an increase of rail freight transport as opposed to road.
“Merely calling for trucks to use the N3 does not solve the problem. The majority of trucks funnel down the M7 and they and containers are taking over the South Durban Basin (SDB). This protest is to urge the government and the responsible authorities to put an end to the devastation of our communities and the killing and maiming of people on our roads because of trucking,” said protest organiser and South Durban Community Environmental Alliance head, Desmond D’Sa.
Protesters sang and danced, holding placards and posters, while hundreds of trucks passed through the intersection. Many protesters said they wanted to feel safe in their own communities and they believed the removal of trucks from residential roads would be step in the right direction. A list of the perceived hazards, concerns and demands were presented to the authorities and the coalition waits for action to be taken.
Meanwhile, Metro Police has increased operations on Field’s Hill, due to an order from head of the unit, Commissioner Eugene Nzama. Some 18 trucks found to be unroadworthy were impounded, pending rectification of the issues.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
