Business Unity SA (BUSA) notes with serious concern the blockage on the N3 by truck drivers and reports of disruptions on some of the alternative routes between Johannesburg and Durban. This is a recurring occurrence and BUSA has consistently appealed to government to take proactive measures to stop such blockages and arrest those that are responsible.

It is very clear that our appeals have not been heeded and there appears to be no accountability in government for this and we do not see any consequences for those perpetrating these acts. The economic impact of such blockages is obvious, given that the N3 is a critical arterial for the transport of essential and strategic good between Johannesburg and Durban, and to areas like Richards Bay.

We despair at the silence from the Minister of Transport about this significant disruption of economic activity, at a time when the country needs to instil confidence amongst investors and put SA onto a sustainable growth path. We consider this continued disruption of economic activity a crisis and ask the President to intervene to ensure appropriate resources are mobilised to pre-empt these disruptions and to clear up the current blockage urgently. We will seek a meeting with the President to raise our concerns and to get a commitment that this matter will be given the urgent attention it requires.

ENDS

Cas Coovadia

Business Unity SA CEO

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For more information, please contact:

Sizwe Maswanganye

Tel: 011 784 8000

Email: sizwe.maswanganye@busa.org.za