Namibian truck drivers flee South Africa amid xenophobia fears

Namibian transport companies are withdrawing their drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest, as fears of xenophobic violence disrupt cross-border trade.

The protest, planned in the neighbouring country for tomorrow, coincides with the 30 June deadline protesters have set for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa (SA).

Transworld Cargo manager Fritz Kaufmann on Thursday told The Namibian the company will withdraw all its truck drivers from SA before the weekend.

“The last trucks will return on Friday, and then we’ll see how the situation develops,” he said.

Kaufmann said the decision would affect trade, but protecting employees comes first.

“If equipment is damaged and burnt, that’s one thing. But if people’s lives are taken, it’s not negotiable,” he said.

He said Namibia’s reliance on imports from SA means the impact could extend beyond one company.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, Namibia last month imported about N$12 billion to N$12.6 billion worth of goods from SA.