SADC drivers call off protest

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 08:53:21 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

TANKER drivers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) yesterday called off their week-long protest at Kasumbalesa border post over security concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The tanker drivers had parked their trucks at the border town and refused to cross over from January 6, 2018 after a Zambian driver, Jeff Zulu, was reportedly shot in the eye by suspected Congolese criminals.

This followed two-days of deliberations between Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo’s delegation and his Congolese counterparts to assure drivers of their safety while in that country.

“The issue of security is going to be handled almost immediately while your complaint over road blocks has also been addressed and we have agreed that only three road blocks from Kasumbalesa to Kolwezi will be mounted,” Mr. Lusambo said.

After an audience with drivers by both delegations, tankers started crossing the border into Congo.