LUSAKA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Thursday said it was concerned over continued attacks on Zambian truck drivers in South Africa and asked authorities in that country to do more to assure the safety of the drivers.
The concerns come following the petrol-bombing of three Zambian drivers and their trucks by violent protesters in Groblersbrug, Limpompo Province which happened on Wednesday May 9 at night.
The attacks left one of the drivers with life-threatening injuries and another one with minor burns.
Last week, about 30 foreign trucks, including three Zambian trucks were burnt to ashes in Kwazulu-Natal, bringing the total number of Zambia trucks burnt in various parts of South Africa to six.
Zambia's High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba appealed to South African authorities to urgently help safeguard the safety of Zambian truckers involved in the transportation of goods between the two countries.
The Zambian envoy said the unfortunate incident had the potential to disrupt international trade and halt the movement of goods and services between the two countries, according to a statement.
He has since called for calm among Zambian truck drivers as his office has engaged the South African government to help put in place measures to safeguard their trucks and their goods.
He further commended the quick response of South African authorities to arrest those involved in burning of the trucks.
