BUSA yesterday [18 January 2022] requested Minister Mbalula to urgently consider reviewing Regulation 224 (b) of the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996) that currently prohibits the transportation on South African roads of high cube containers. High cube containers constitute the overwhelming majority of containers currently manufactured and transported internationally (including in neighbouring states). However, the combined height of a vehicle transporting a high cube container is currently 4.6m – 300mm above the legal limit. Despite several years of industry engaging the Department of Transport on the matter, as well as moratoriums being issued, no progress has  yet been forthcoming on fundamentally resolving the issue.

This regulatory anomaly puts South Africa’s trade and logistics regime out of step with international and regional realities and undermines the ease of doing business. BUSA is therefore calling on the Minister of Transport to urgently review the applicable regulation to permit the transportation of high cube containers on South African roads. In view of South Africa’s sub-optimal levels of economic growth, investment, and employment, we can ill afford such costly and time-consuming regulation of a sector so critical to the operations of a modern economy.

ENDS

Cas Coovadia

Business Unity SA CEO

_________________________________________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

Sizwe Maswanganye

Tel: 011 784 8000

Email: sizwe.maswanganye@busa.org.za