Overloaded by 25 tons
CAPE Town's first overload bust for 201 9 saw an operator fined R42,000 for being overloaded by at least 25 tons. The truck carrying two 20-foot containers was taken by the Cape Town city council's road haulage unit from Paarden Island to the N7 weighbridge. The truck was so heavy, two tyres burst on the way and had to be repaired. The road haulage unit told said 1 in 3 trucks are overloaded in the Western Cape, and the unit has since July 201 8 collected over a million rand in fines. After the tyres were replaced, the operator received 11 fines for all the issues on the overloaded truck. --DR.
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News to inspire professional drivers of all size vehicles in southern Africa
January 201 9
Making enemies, losing friends
IT started with a tweet to warn trucks have closed South Africa's busiest highway where the road bottlenecks on Van Reenen's Pass. This is not unusual on a Sunday night, when this stretch of road has been blocked by anything from snow to a military tank that fell of a lorrie. But this time, the closure was deliberate, with four truck drivers who blocked both the pass and then went on the prowl for "foreign" drivers, seting fire to any truck whose driver did not answer their demands. Several drivers run away, fearing the mob. Traffic officers could only wait for reinforcements, which arrived five hours later at 3 am. Tow trucks moved four trucks that blocked the highway near Pyramids Motel and police arrested four drivers. The next day, transport minister Blade Nzimande condemned the protest. Nzimande said he had met the leadership of the South African trucking industry in
The tweet that warned travellers a few truckers were blocking the N3 highway.
Durban two days before the protest (Friday) to hear why drivers had protested in 2018, with opportunistic looting and burning of trucks at the Mooi River toll plaza. The drivers' main gripe is the number of foreign nationals who drive at lower wages. "This unfortunate (latest) action by truck drivers is not in keeping with the letter and spirit of our meeting held this past Friday, where I met with the leadership of
the All Truck Drivers Foundation and the National Truck Drivers Association to address challenges facing South African truck drivers," Nzimande said. "This is nothing but negotiating in bad faith on the part of some of the leaders of the truck drivers." He said the parties to the meeting agreed to constitute a team led by his department, incorporating other departments including home affairs and labour, as
well as the bargaining council and drivers' representatives. "Guided by the law and applicable legislation, as government we remain steadfast to resolve this issue that is beginning to bedevil the South African trucking industry," Nzimande said. The government would not tolerate the lawlessness, anarchy and sabotage demonstrated by some truck drivers, he added.
He applauded law enforcement agencies for "their swift response in arresting those responsible for this malicious act which seeks to undermine the efforts by government and truck drivers’ associations who are committed to resolve this matter within the ambit of the law". On their Facebook page, the All Truck Drivers Foundation had one post: "we need all SA citizen truck drivers to join and unite to save our jobs from being taken away from us to the foreign nationals." FleetWatch editor Patrick O Leary said he could not fathom who would conduct their protest in a manner that would ensure no one sympathised with their cause.
"By blocking roads and burning trucks, they are setting themselves up for failure in getting any action on the message they are trying to get through." -- DR.
Ultra low running costs JAGUAR and Land Rover owner, Tata, has introduced the Ultra medium sized trucks to South Africa at prices that offer fleet managers and small businesses owners a lot of value. Tata's regional manager for Southern and Eastern Africa, Rajiv Jaiswal, told The Driver Tata’s proud history dates back to 1868 when the company started building locomotives, and South Africa was an important market in the 46 countries where Tata vehicles are sold. Thse vehicles range from the small Ace one-tonner to 45-ton truck tractors. Jaiswal said in Zambia, Capital Breweries uses a fleet of 25 Ultra trucks to deliver heavy loads over rough roads, and the small truck would provide the same platform for business growth in South Africa, where Tata have been operating since 1994. The Ultra comes with a two-year or 120 000 km service plan, with 20 000 km service intervals and a 2-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Harneet Luther, executive director ofTata Automobile Corporation
page 2, January 2019
Mountain bikers and taxi drivers: sym-sym
Question? What do
The Tata Ultra is designed to ease the working day of drivers for small business, and improve the cash flow with low fuel consumption and 20,000 km services.
South Africa, said SA has unique customer requirements, which the company currently meets with 24 different models. Luther said low cost of ownership is Tata’s unique selling point, supported by parts, service, and finance. Tata also offers breakdown assist and towing across southern Africa, at no cost while under warranty. Vivek Atcharya, area manager in South Africa, said the Ultra’s front track of 1 822 mm allows a 2,4 metre-wide body and deck
lengths of up to six metres, yet it boasted a small turning circle, while full air brakes give the Ultra the best stopping distance in category. Atcharya said the four cylinder common rail diesel makes 104 kW at 2 600 rpm with 390 Nm between 1 400 rpm and 2000 rpm, which powers goes to the rear wheels through a 330 mm clutch. This clutch is one of biggest in small trucks, and links six gears with a first gear ratio of 6,9 and a final gear ratio of 0,84. A final ratio of 4,857
on the drive axle allows long distance driving at low revolutions to make the most of diesel in the 120 litre fuel tank, The cab has a bench seat for two loaders and a weigh-adjustable sprung seat for the driver. A dashmounted gear lever create legs space while a fold down arm rest and cup holder in the central seat provide comfort on long drives. Air conditioning is standard, as is a heater. “The Ultra is really super comfortable and stylish,” Atcharya said. -- DR.
young taxi drivers and mountain bikers have in common? Answer: They both believe they own the road they are on. The taxi driver because he has been driving up and down his "office" since 5 am and now, at high noon with several energy drinks causing an irrational sugar high on top of all that agressive 20-something testosterone and fight-or-flight responses on a crowded road, all those peak hour single occupant cars and
Q: What do you call someone who can't stick with a diet? A desserter!
competing taxis drivers better watch the f**k out. The mountain biker because he has been sweating on the road since dawn and also has several energy drinks sloshing in his veins, on top of which those tight pants are constricting blood flow to his head, which is already stressed by an over-designed but ultimately useless helmet and insectoid sunglasses. The bottom line is that no-one can rely on people to be their rational selves while steering taxis or mountainbikes. -- DR