Conflicting accounts have emerged following the arrest of three individuals, including the Secretary General of the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDF-ASA), Gugu Sokhela, during an operation on the N3 near Bergville on Friday.
The arrest follows a shutdown action called by South African truck drivers and ATDF-ASA, with police and the organisation now offering sharply different versions of what transpired.
According to a statement sent to SA Trucker by ATDF-ASA National Organiser Doctor Mkhulisi, the gathering on the N3 was a peaceful go-slow demonstration involving truck drivers.
ATDF-ASA maintains that there was no violence, intimidation, destruction of property or disruption to normal traffic flow.
“The demonstration in question was entirely peaceful. There was absolutely no violence, destruction of property, or intimidation taking place,” the organisation stated.
However, SAPS has painted a very different picture of the events leading to the arrests.
According to police, officers responded to reports of a truck blocking traffic on the N3 and causing major disruptions. SAPS said truck drivers had allegedly parked their vehicles across the roadway, preventing traffic from moving.
Police further alleged that members of the group began stoning vehicles, including a long-distance passenger bus travelling on the route.
SAPS said officers attempted to restore order and clear the road, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. The suspects are facing charges linked to public violence and malicious damage to property.
ATDF-ASA has strongly denied those allegations.
Read | Truck Blockade Hotspots on the N3 and Other Major Routes as ATDF-ASA Strike Looms
The organisation claims police arrived at what it describes as a peaceful demonstration and immediately escalated the situation by opening fire with live ammunition.
According to ATDF-ASA, demonstrators fled the scene after shots were fired, fearing for their safety.
The organisation further alleges that one of the trucks involved sustained bullet damage during the incident and claims this is evidence that live ammunition was used by police.
ATDF-ASA also disputes the circumstances of the arrests. The organisation claims the three individuals, including its Secretary General, were arrested only after they returned to retrieve an Isuzu bakkie that had been left behind when demonstrators fled.
“It was at this moment, while simply trying to retrieve their property, that three individuals, including the ATDF Secretary General, were wrongfully arrested,” the organisation said.
SAPS, however, maintains that the arrests formed part of a law enforcement operation linked to criminal activities reported on the N3.
The organisation has accused police of abusing their authority and endangering the lives of peaceful demonstrators, while SAPS maintains that officers acted in response to road blockades and attacks on motorists.
ATDF-ASA is now demanding a full and transparent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved and has called for the charges against the arrested individuals to be reviewed.
The arrest is likely to intensify tensions surrounding the truck drivers’ shutdown, with both SAPS and ATDF-ASA standing firmly by their respective versions of events.
At this stage, the competing claims made by both parties remain untested in court.
SA Trucker will continue monitoring developments and will publish further updates as more information becomes available.
The latest SA Trucking News straight to your inbox!
