A truck driver attached to SNB Freight through Innovative Staffing Solutions (ISS) is recovering at his rural home in KwaZulu-Natal after he was brutally assaulted by unknown men at the company’s Houghton Road premises in Clairwood, Durban, on the 1st of June.
Speaking to SA Trucker, the driver, who requested to remain anonymous, said the incident happened after he complained about his truck losing power.
“On Saturday, I told the controller that the truck wasn’t performing well as it was losing power. He told me to continue driving so I could offload at DCT. After offloading, I reported again that the truck was getting worse. Instead of attending to the issue, he instructed me to go load another container at Bridgeport. While there, I realised that if I continued using the truck, it would eventually get stuck. So I called the controller again,” he recalled.
He said the controller then told him to bring the truck back to the yard. Upon arrival, all the other drivers were called to go to the main yard on Sirdar Road. He attempted to join them in the bakkie transporting them, but the security guard stopped him and told him to stay behind.
“Then three men came and asked me to show them my truck, which I did. One had a sjambok, another had a stick, and the third was empty-handed. They asked me why I was stealing diesel. I was shocked by the question and told them I didn’t know what they were talking about because I don’t steal diesel,” he said.
He said the men then started assaulting him with the stick and sjambok.
He attempted to run to the security guard for help, but instead of assisting, the guard allegedly hit him and pushed him back into the premises where the assault continued.
“I eventually managed to escape and ran to a nearby garage, where I called a friend. He came and took me to Brighton Beach Police Station to report the matter. I still don’t know why this was done to me,” he said.
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Photos shared with SA Trucker show visible cuts and bruises on his body and face. The driver confirmed that he has returned to his rural home to recover.
“The company said they will pay me for the work I did this month. But right now, I don’t have money, so I decided to go home and heal,” he added.
Contacted for comment, ISS CEO Arnoux Maré confirmed the matter is being taken seriously and that the company is supporting the driver.
“We have been trying to assist our employee in every way we can. He has chosen to recover at home and remains in communication with his direct manager, our national operations manager, and our Chief Operational Officer.”
Maré also stated that ISS extended an offer to bring the driver to Gauteng:
“We invited him to come to Gauteng to assist with the investigation and to have access to our industrial psychologists. The offer remains open to him whenever he feels ready to travel.”
ISS confirmed that they are aware of the police report filed and have pledged full cooperation.
“We will assist the authorities in every way to ensure that this unjust crime is properly investigated and resolved,” Maré said.
He also reaffirmed the driver’s employment status:
“He remains permanently employed by ISS, and we are looking forward to his return, as he is a valued member of our team.”
The case has sparked outrage among truckers, with many calling for accountability and better protection for workers facing internal conflicts.
SA Trucker will continue to monitor the developments.
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