ATDF-ASA condemns police actions amid secretary general’s arrest

Denying claims of violent blockades near Bergville, the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDF-ASA) has criticised the South African Police Service (SAPS), alleging that officers used live rounds during a peaceful demonstration.

The response comes after three individuals, including a national office bearer, identified by the ATDF-ASA as their secretary general (SG), were arrested on Saturday morning for alleged public violence and inciting disruption on the N3 southbound.

The ATDF-ASA interim committee issued a statement demanding a full and transparent investigation into the police’s conduct, claiming the law enforcement response represented an unprovoked escalation of a peaceful industrial action.

“The demonstration in question was entirely peaceful. There was absolutely no violence, destruction of property, or intimidation taking place,” a statement from the committee read, clarifying that the action was a standard ‘go-slow’ demonstration, and regular traffic was passing by normally without any disruption.

The committee claims the situation only turned chaotic upon the arrival of the police.

According to the committee, police immediately opened fire with live ammunition without justification, causing panic and forcing those present to flee for their lives.

To substantiate their claim of excessive force, the ATDF-ASA points to physical evidence left on the scene. “The physical evidence of this excessive force can be seen directly on the trucks themselves, as one of the truck containers was left with bullet holes from the live rounds fired by SAPS,” the committee noted.

In contrast to the committee’s account, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda stated that police were conducting patrols in the early hours of Saturday morning, when they noticed N3 traffic slowing to a standstill.

Upon investigation, he said they discovered approximately 10 people stopping trucks. Realising the police presence, the suspects allegedly fled into the bushes, abandoning a white Isuzu bakkie with all its doors open.

Preliminary investigations linked the vehicle to a prominent ATDF-SA office bearer, and inside the abandoned bakkie, police discovered an ATDF-SA banner and stones. The arrests followed shortly after.

Netshiunda confirmed that a suspicious white VW Polo was spotted and intercepted on the N3 northbound, where it had allegedly come to pick up the owner of the abandoned bakkie.

The bakkie owner and the two occupants of the Polo, both identified as truck drivers, were arrested.

Police also indicated the bakkie owner may be linked to the stoning of a bus at the N3 Colenso interchange shortly before the arrests, adding that more charges could be filed as suspects are processed.

The ATDF-ASA interim committee, however, maintained that the arrests occurred after the initial confrontation subsided and the three individuals returned peacefully to retrieve the abandoned Isuzu bakkie. They strongly condemned the actions of the officers involved.

“By firing live ammunition into a peaceful gathering of SA truck drivers, the police heavily misused their power and placed the lives of innocent citizens in severe, unnecessary danger,” the committee stated.

karen.singh@inl.co.za