Female law enforcement officers have led a major road crackdown in KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in the arrest of eight undocumented foreign drivers.
The operation took place in Pietermaritzburg over the weekend and formed part of the #NenzaniLaEzweni campaign.
Authorities targeted strategic road networks, including the N3, during the operation.
In addition to the arrests, 52 vehicles were suspended.
A further 45 motorists are being prosecuted following the crackdown.
The operation was led by female officers as Women’s Month draws to a close.
Officials from several law enforcement and government structures were involved.
These included the Road Traffic Inspectorate, traffic departments from Msunduzi, uMshwathi, uMkhambathini and Richmond, SAPS, the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs and the Road Safety Directorate.
The spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said the operation was aimed at protecting local jobs and preventing disruptions on major freight routes.
Sibiya said the hiring of undocumented foreign nationals in the freight sector had contributed to increased tensions and shutdowns along key transport corridors.
“We have pointed out in the past that the hiring of undocumented foreign nationals in the freight sector has resulted in increased tension and disruptions along major routes through shutdowns linked to protests. This is costing our economy,” he said.
The N3 is one of South Africa’s most important freight routes, linking KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Authorities said the operation was intended to ensure compliance among drivers and operators using strategic road networks.
Sibiya said law enforcement agencies would also be targeting counterfeit and illegal goods.
“We will intercept counterfeit and illegal goods as we facilitate the legal movement of goods as part of exports and imports,” he said.
He added that authorities would continue working with other government departments, municipalities and stakeholders to assist truck drivers who had been displaced.
“As part of protecting local jobs and our economy, we will continue to work with other government departments, municipalities, and key stakeholders to assist truck drivers who have been displaced by undocumented foreign nationals,” Sibiya said.
The operation comes amid ongoing concerns about the employment of undocumented foreign nationals in the freight and transport sector.
These concerns have previously resulted in protests and disruptions on major routes, affecting the movement of goods and raising safety concerns for motorists and truck drivers.
Authorities say further operations will continue as part of efforts to enforce road traffic laws, immigration compliance and labour regulations.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has indicated that such operations are also aimed at supporting the legal movement of goods while preventing criminal activity on freight routes.
The crackdown has highlighted the role of women in law enforcement, with female officers taking centre stage in the multi-agency operation.
Officials said the campaign would continue targeting non-compliance on key routes across the province.
