Durban – Transport authorities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have impounded 14 abnormal load haulage trucks and detained at least seven truck drivers from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for not having the correct documents required to operate on South African roads.
KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, said he had directed the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to “clean up our road networks through #NenzaniLaEzweni operation”.
MEC Duma said: “We wish to announce that through #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, our energised team from Road Traffic Inspectorate has impounded 14 abnormal load vehicles for the violation of the National Road Traffic Act and immigration laws”.
He said of the seven foreign truck drivers detained, four were “undocumented and have been detained”.
MEC Duma added: “We are currently verifying the documents of the other three.”
He said the detained drivers included four Malawians, two Zimbabweans, and one Zambian.
“Critically, we wish to commend that team for uncovering what could be the biggest racket ever involving the transportation of undeclared and unverified goods by undocumented foreign nationals,” MEC Duma said.
“The department could have lost R200 000 in undeclared goods over the past two hours.
“It is estimated that in one month, between R2 million to R3 million in revenue is lost through this racket.
“Last week, I mandated RTI to have no mercy on undocumented foreign truck drivers. They are doing exactly that on the N3.”
MEC Duma said the transgressions include the following:-
- Abnormal loads foreign truck drivers with no permits
- Permits not matching load specifications
- No valid work permits
- No Professional Driving Permits
“We value the support of the Home Affairs’ Immigration Unit and the Department of Health as we intensify this operation,” MEC Duma said.
“We reiterate our commitment towards ensuring that our road networks are not used to transport drugs, illicit goods, human trafficking, and cross-border crime in general.
“Finally, we will be naming and shaming some of the companies involved in this racket.
“It is the same companies that are using undocumented truck drivers.”
