South Africa’s Cross‑Border Hauliers Call for Relief Amid Immigration Crackdown
South Africa’s transport sector is feeling the pressure of a heightened immigration enforcement drive, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) corridor bearing the brunt of the disruption. Industry leaders warn that continued arrests of foreign drivers and the seizure of cargo threaten regional trade flows and jeopardise thousands of local jobs.
The DRC Route: A Vital but Volatile Lifeline
The DRC is a mineral‑rich neighbour whose mines rely heavily on South African‑origin equipment, fuel, and chemicals. In return, the country exports copper cathodes, cobalt, and other minerals through South African ports such as Durban, Walvis Bay, Dar es Salaam, Beira, and the emerging Lobito Rail Corridor.
Because of the challenging security and infrastructural conditions inside the DRC, many South African drivers refuse to work on these routes. Consequently, hauliers have come to depend on foreign drivers who hold the necessary cross‑border experience and are willing to operate in high‑risk environments.
Legal Background and Current Enforcement
A 2014 ruling by the North Gauteng High Court affirmed that South African cross‑border operators may employ foreign drivers, provided the workers are non‑residents entering the country on a 21‑day visitor visa waiver under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. North Gauteng High Court, 2014
Despite this precedent, recent months have seen a surge in law‑enforcement actions targeting foreign drivers holding visitor permits. According to the African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations (AUTLO), drivers are being arrested, dismissed from duty, and their vehicles—and valuable cargo—detained.
Industry Appeal to the Interior Minister
On Wednesday, Mike Fitzmaurice, Vice‑President (Southern Africa) of AUTLO, wrote to Interior Minister Leon Schreiber requesting a moratorium on enforcement actions against foreign drivers employed by South African‑registered hauliers. In his letter, Fitzmaurice highlighted two practical realities:
- The specialised operational skills required for cross‑border trips, which many local drivers lack.
- The extremely difficult operating conditions in neighbouring states, especially the DRC, that deter South African nationals from accepting such assignments.
Fitzmaurice warned that a wholesale removal of foreign drivers would “cripple the cross‑border sector overnight” and paradoxically threaten the jobs of thousands of South Africans working in the broader logistics value chain, exacerbating the country’s already high unemployment rate. AUTLO Letter to Minister Schreiber, 2025
Economic and Reputational Stakes
Several land‑locked neighbours—Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Malawi, and the DRC—depend on unfettered transit through South Africa to reach international markets. Disruptions in the movement of mining equipment, fuel, sulfuric acid, and exported minerals can:
- Delay production schedules at DRC mines.
- Increase logistics costs for regional traders.
- Damage South Africa’s reputation as a reliable transit hub in Southern Africa.
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) noted that anti‑immigration sentiment has gained traction online, with roughly 3.6 million mentions since January 2026, amplifying pressure on policymakers. Institute for Security Studies, 2026
Government Response
Home Affairs spokesperson Carli van Wyk confirmed that the department had received Fitzmaurice’s correspondence but stressed that no legal provision compels the minister to impose a moratorium on existing immigration enforcement. She stated that the minister will continue to act “strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic.” Home Affairs Statement, 2025
Looking Ahead
Stakeholders argue that a balanced approach—upholding immigration law while recognising the sector’s reliance on skilled foreign labour—is essential to safeguard regional trade and protect local employment. Ongoing dialogue between AUTLO, government officials, and regional partners may yield pragmatic solutions, such as targeted visa schemes or specialised training programmes for South African drivers willing to undertake high‑risk routes.
Until such measures are realised, the DRC corridor remains a flashpoint where law enforcement, labour economics, and regional integration intersect, underscoring the need for policies that are both legally sound and economically realistic.
