Trucking violations tackled at Jacobs protest
The demonstration was conducted peacefully outside Corsair Logistics on Quality Street.
THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) together with residents from Wentworth, Merebank and the Bluff joined a protest against trucks being driven on the roads.
The peaceful protest was staged on Friday, 9 October in the presence of the Metro Police as well as the Wentworth police.
It has been 10 years since angered residents marched and put forward their demands for a plan to eradicate the presence of trucks on residential roads. Ten years later, nothing has been done.
SDCEA’s co-ordinator, Desmond D’sa said the free flow of traffic during the protest was testimony that the company concerned, Corsair Logistics Limited, could indeed do something about the obstruction of traffic on Quality Street in Jacobs.
“They now are doing what they are supposed to be doing right in the first place. We should not be coming here. But we have no choice than to be here because, despite our meeting with them years ago, they’ve ignored us.”
“They met with the police and told them they’d be good neighbours and not do wrong. But clearly, what they’re doing is wrong,” he said.
The group of protesters was advocating for the company and others alike to instead utilise the designated Cato Ridge Dry Port.
According to SDCEA, the area has already been chosen to handle and resolve the trucking-related issues faced by locals. The group added that onus was now on Transnet to get on board to fast track the plan to ensure logistic companies use the port, to move the bulk of the goods off-road and on to the rail.
“We have called Corsair and spoke to them and they were hearing nothing. In fact, they told us the trucks leaving their premises are not their problem. My understanding of that is a truck could smash or kill somebody and it would not be their problem.”
“So, this is their attitude. If they had a different attitude, if they had sat us down to discuss what we could do, it would be a different thing.” “This tells me of their arrogant attitude and the fact that our lives are cheap and they don’t care about us. We are here as the beginning of a protest of rolling mass action,” D’sa added.
Corsair Logistics’ general manager, Niresh Beepat, said they would need time to deliberate on their plan of action.
“We appreciate everything that you guys are doing here. I would like to set up a meeting with Desmond and the Metro Police. I’m sure we can make a better solution to the problems we have here and see from here. I will give a written explanation of plan in a week’s time,” he said.
SDCEA handed over a memorandum of understanding to Beepat who signed and acknowledged it. He also committed to keeping the road clear of trucks and other trucking violations experienced on Quality Street.
Photos:
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. For any comments or queries, contact the National Group Editor, Irma Green at irma@caxton.co.za or the Legal Adviser, Helene Eloff at helene@caxton.co.za.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 876 3179 The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
