Truck drivers from SADC, COMESA, and East Africa Communities have resolved to stop using the Zambian route starting 16 December 2024. This decision comes in response to the Zambian government’s requirement for drivers to purchase costly transit permits priced at K12,000 (R8,000) and K15,000 (R10,000), respectively.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in Zambia implemented this rule under the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010, specifically Section 32 (2,3,4), which governs the issuance of transit visas. According to the Act, transit permits are required for drivers of commercial vehicles who have used up their 90-day business visit allowance in Zambia within a calendar year.
The permits, valid for 12 months, can be renewed for another 12 months at the same rates, a cost many drivers find unsustainable.
In a letter addressed to all SADC member states and stakeholders, foreign truck drivers—primarily from Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and other neighbouring countries—expressed their struggles with the hefty fees. They claim the costs have led to many drivers losing their jobs.
Nyathi Dingini, the Namibia-Zimbabwe-Zambia Drivers Coordinator, stated that drivers plan to halt operations at borders until their demands are addressed.
“As such, we have been writing letters and submitted them through responsible offices, and we have also physically tried to meet relevant authorities to raise our grievances from 2021 up to date but we have yielded nothing,” he said.
“Therefore, we as the affected drivers from the SADC, COMESA, and East Africa Communities would like to notify you that, starting from 16th December 2024, until the Zambian government exempts foreign drivers from buying transit permits, there shall be no trucks crossing either side of the borders between Zambia and its neighbouring countries because we do not have K15,000,” Dingini declared.
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He also urged Zambian truck drivers to join in solidarity with their foreign counterparts by either halting their cross-border trips or remaining in Zambia on the day of the boycott.
“Of course, we can understand that each country has got its own laws and are there to be adhered to as long as they are for the betterment of many people regardless of nationality, religion, race or tribe. But if they found bringing some challenges like in our case, we hope the authorities are always there to find solutions. It is our greatest wish we enjoy together the fruits of independence in Africa,” he added.
The letter was signed by representatives of various professional drivers’ unions, including McDonald Chilanga of the Professional Drivers Union of Malawi, Fideris Mukarati of the United Truck Drivers Association, Jaime Chival Valdy of Associaciao De Camionistas De Mozambique, and Dingini himself.
The Zambian Department of Immigration has acknowledged receipt of the letter and assured stakeholders that it will respond to the concerns raised in due course.
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