ATDFASA Nationwide Demonstrations Threat

07 Nov 2024

The All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africans (ATDFASA), along with various other organisations and political groups* are threatening a nationwide protest on the 11th of November 2024. 

This demonstration, rooted in concerns about the role of foreign nationals in the country’s informal economy and job sectors, particularly trucking and spaza shops, has been generating attention due to a poster circulating on social media and other platforms. 

The scheduled protest echoes a similar action originally planned for May ‘24, which did not materialise, but this time, organisers are citing intensified grievances stemming from recent incidents, including food poisoning cases, and a perception that foreign nationals are taking jobs from South Africans.

Protests are expected to take place in key urban areas and along major transport corridors, with a focus on:

KwaZulu Natal: Sea Cow Lake, Kenville (Durban North), Durban Central, Umbilo, Montclair, Bayhead, Sydenham, Clare Hills, Springfield, (Durban), uMnambithi/Ladysmith, Inanda, KwaMashu, Nondweni, Ntuzuma, Dundee, Richards Bay, Empangeni, Estcourt, Hilton, Mooi River, Howick, Pinetown, Newcastle Central, Chatsworth, Ingogo, Pietermaritzburg Central, Ashburton, Mtubatuba, Van Reenen and Cato Ridge

High-risk roads: N3 in KwaZulu-Natal (in particular in the vicinity of Durban Central, Mooi River and Van Rheenen); and the N11 between uMnambithi/Ladysmith and Ermelo (Mpumalanga)

Gauteng: Alrode (Alberton), Rosettenville, Aeroton, Betrams (Johannesburg South), Pretoria Industrial, Pretoria Central, Atteridgeville, Mamelodi (Pretoria), Johannesburg Central, Alexandra, Hillbrow, Yeoville, Berea, Jeppestown, City Deep, George Goch, Denver, Cleveland, Benrose, Mayfair, Fordsburg (Johannesburg), Rosslyn (Akasia), Katlehong, Thokoza, Rondebult, Wadeville (Germiston), Tsakane (Brakpan), KwaThema (Springs), Daveyton (Benoni), Cosmo City (Roodepoort), Isando (Kempton Park), Sunderland Ridge, Olievenhoutbosch (Centurion), Ekandustria (Bronkhorstspruit), Ratanda (Heidelberg), Sharpeville (Vereeniging), Vanderbijlpark, Tembisa, Kempton Park, Randburg, Lawley, Cullinan, Sebokeng, Vosloorus, Orange Farm, Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane, Soshanguve, Diepsloot, Krugersdorp, Springs, Unaville, Soweto and Meyerton

High-risk roads: N3 between Vosloorus and Heidelberg; Heidelberg Road/R554 and Vereeniging Road/M61 in Alrode (Alberton), and Barbra and Isando Roads in Isando (Kempton Park)

Free State: Mangaung, Heidedal, Bloemside (Bloemfontein), Mokwallo (Vredefort), Welkom, Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Ladybrand, Van Stadensrus, Wepener, Harrismith, Roadside and Warden

Limpopo: Westernburg (Polokwane) Burgesfort Central, Elandskraal, Ga-Mahlokwane, Jane Furse, Schoonoord, Mokopane, Polokwane Central, Seshego, Lebowakgomo, and Musina

Mpumalanga: Standerton, Embalenhle, Lydenburg, Emalahleni, Bethal, Ermelo, Middelburg, Mkhondo/Piet Retief, Moremela, Matibidi and Hendrina 

High risk roads: N4 in Emalahleni (Mpumalanga), the N11 between uMnambithi/Ladysmith (KwaZulu Natal) and Ermelo, N2 near Mkhondo/Piet Retief, and R35 near Bethal 

North West: Ikageng (Potchefstroom), Damonsville (Brits), Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, Brits Central, Thlabane, Kroondal and Rustenburg, central

Western Cape: Zweletemba (Worcester), Cape Town Central, Brackenfell, Durbanville (Cape Town), Atlantis, Vredenburg, Stellenbosch and Beaufort West 

Eastern Cape: New Brighton, Korsten, Coega (Gqeberha), Middelburg, Nxuba/Cradock, KwaZakhele (Ibhayi), Xolobeni, Mthatha, Komani and KwaNobuhle 

High risk roads: N10 between Nxuba/Cradock and Middelburg 

Northern Cape: Galashewe (Kimberly), Upington, Neilersdrift, Kakamas and Keimoes 

Risks and Possible Scenarios:

• Violence: Previous demonstrations by ATDFASA supporters have been marked by violence, including the setting alight of trucks and spaza shops, assaults, and looting. The protests are likely to escalate in areas with high anti-foreign national sentiment.

• Disruption to Transport: Road closures, barricades, and possible disruptions on key transport routes, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (N3) and Gauteng, are expected.

• Intimidation and Clashes: There is a high risk of violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement, as well as intimidation of foreign nationals.

• Targeting of Businesses: Foreign-owned businesses, especially spaza shops, are at risk of being looted, set alight, or destroyed during the unrest.

• Public Safety: Armed demonstrations and the use of blunt weapons have been reported in past protests, heightening the risk to public safety, especially at night.

Grievances:

The key grievances behind the planned protest focus on food safety, economic strain, and health concerns. A series of food poisoning incidents, including 10 deaths in Gauteng from February to October 2024, has been linked to foreign-owned spaza shops, stoking anger. 

Rising unemployment, at 33.5% in Q2 2024, has intensified frustration, with locals accusing the government of failing to regulate informal businesses and foreign labour, particularly in trucking and textiles. 

Many are also calling for stronger regulations on health and safety, including stricter enforcement of food safety standards. Some political figures have advocated for closing foreign-owned businesses and deporting undocumented migrants to address these issues.

Key Demands:

•Immediate closure of non-compliant foreign-owned spaza shops.

•Prioritisation of employment for South African citizens, particularly in trucking and informal sectors.

•Stricter government regulation of spaza shops, informal vendors, and the sale of illegal substances like Terbufos.

•Increased inspections and enforcement of food safety standards.

•Deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.

•Suspension of foreign truck drivers in the road freight sector and replacement with South African drivers.

•Improved legislative action and stronger penalties for businesses employing foreign nationals without proper documentation.

Communities in high-risk areas should be advised to stay vigilant, especially during nighttime and early morning hours when protests and clashes are most likely to occur.

*Organisations and political groups include uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Operation Dudula( OD), United Truck Drivers of South Africa (UTDSA), Tshwane Bahlali Dudula, North West Bahlali Dudula, the #PutSouthAfricansFirst Movement and Sisonke People’s Forum (SPF).