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SRA STRIKE ‘GROUNDS’ TRUCKS TO BIG SHOPS

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image NGWENYA – A Pick n Pay truck was blocked by the striking Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) workers at Ngwenya Border Gate yesterday. Some trucks ferrying goods to some of the country’s big shops were delayed for hours at the border. (Pic: Sithembile Hlats

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 This emanates from the fact that trucks meant to deliver consumables and other goods are stuck at border gates due to the ongoing Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) employees’ strike.


Some of the striking employees are responsible for clearing goods at the Ngwenya and Lavumisa border gates.
Long queues have resulted as most trucks were held up at the Ngwenya Border Gate from Tuesday night and some drivers had to sleep there due to very slow service.  


According to some of  the truck drivers, they had to endure over 10 hours wait at the border gate before finally getting assistance.
At least five of the delayed trucks were from Spar.


Thulani Mamaine said his truck arrived at 8:30am.
Mamaine said on normal days, the Spar trucks did not pile up at  the border. He said the shops were expecting the goods, which have been delayed. “I am not sure of the loss suffered due to the delay but the items are needed by the shops which have ordered the stock,” he said.


Mamaine said they were frustrated by the fact that the goods had to go for inspection at Swaziland Meat Industries (SMI) and there was more delay they were expecting after declaring their commodities.


Themba Nkomo, who works for Theba Enterprise, said he had to sleep at the border.
“I arrived with goods at 6pm and had to sleep here due to the long queues,” said Nkomo.
He said he completed the process of clearing the merchandise at 1pm. 


Nkomo said a lot of time had been wasted while trying to clear the goods at the border which has resulted in an inconvenience to the business.


Utensils


He said he delivered kitchen utensils and usually did two trips to the country with goods totalling at E300 000.  “I ferry goods worth around E150 000 in each trip, which means a loss of E150 000 was made,” said Nkomo. According to Nkomo, he delivered goods in a number of shops including Checkers, Chicken king, Euro Swazi and Punch Bowl, among others.

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