Honey Lotus Transport, a well-known trucking operation based in Balfour, has officially shut its doors following the untimely death of its sole director, Richard Burns, earlier this year.
According to a statement released on the company’s official social media platforms, Burns passed away on 1 April 2025. The cause of death has not been disclosed by the family or company representatives.
Burns, who also owned aviation company Wild Skies, had built Honey Lotus into a respected player in the transport space. His sudden death has left a void that the company, being solely managed by him, could not fill. As a result, the business has ceased operations.
A family spokesperson confirmed the shutdown in a message to SA Trucker, saying: “Honey Lotus Transport has closed due to the passing of the sole director. We are having a clearance auction.”
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The clearance sale will include the company’s trucks, workshop tools, and other assets. The auction will be held online during the month of August, allowing buyers across the country to bid remotely.
The closure of Honey Lotus comes as another blow to the local trucking industry, where many small and medium operators are often deeply reliant on the leadership and involvement of their founders. Once again, it highlights how sudden changes in leadership can trigger the collapse of well-functioning fleets.
SA Trucker extends condolences to the Burns family and all those affected by the closure. We’ll share more details on the auction as they become available.
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