By Buziwe Nocuze
Truck owners told hardware stores in Tombo to stop deliveries because they wanted customers to hire them instead.
Residents say building projects were delayed until a local chief stepped in and convinced truck owners to back down.
Residents in Port St Johns were left frustrated after truck owners blocked hardware stores from delivering building materials to customers.
The dispute happened in the Tombo area and affected people who were waiting for materials to build or repair their homes.
Mzukisi Nkwali from Khwanyana village said he waited more than three days for his building materials to arrive.
When he contacted the hardware store, he was shocked by the explanation.
“I called the store to ask why my delivery was taking so long. They told me truck owners had stopped them from delivering because they felt the stores were taking their jobs,” said Nkwali.
The truck owners reportedly wanted customers to hire them to transport the goods instead.
But Nkwali said many residents simply cannot afford the extra costs.
“I heard they charge more than R300 for deliveries. We don’t have that kind of money,” he said.
“I bought the materials because I wanted builders to start working while the weather is still good. Now everything has been delayed.”
A Scrolla.Africa journalist contacted one of the hardware store owners, who referred all questions to local traditional leaders.
Chief Phikolomzi Bakhulule Langa said he was surprised when he heard about the action taken by the truck owners.
He immediately called for a meeting.
“I was shocked because decisions that affect many people should be discussed properly first,” said Langa.
The chief said he listened to the concerns of the truck owners but also challenged them to think about the consequences of their actions.
He explained that when hardware stores deliver materials, they take responsibility if anything is damaged during transport.
“I asked them if they would pay for damaged goods if they handled the deliveries. They admitted they had not thought about that,” said Langa.
The chief said the group also failed to consider the impact on jobs.
Many local people work at the hardware stores and could lose their jobs if businesses suffer losses.
“There were many things they had not thought through. They realised they could end up losing money if expensive items were damaged during transport,” he said.
After the meeting, the truck owners agreed to return to their colleagues and discuss the concerns raised.
Following the chief’s intervention, the hardware stores were allowed to resume deliveries.
Residents have welcomed the decision, saying it will help stalled building projects get back on track.
For now, deliveries have resumed and customers can once again receive building materials directly from the stores.
Pictured above: Hardware stores in Tombo, Port St Johns, have resumed deliveries after truck owners backed down following intervention by a local chief.
Image source: Supplied
