Kwanalu calls for removal of Mooi River N3 Toll Plaza

The agricultural union of KwaZulu-Natal, Kwanalu, has called for the removal of the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg, citing the severe risk its location places on the sustained economy of KZN.

The call, made to Minister Thoko Didiza at a KZN stakeholder meeting held on 16 July, comes in the wake of the devastating economic consequences the closure of the toll plaza has had on the agricultural sector value chain and the subsequent food shortages’ threat to the province.

The organisation, representing farmers, rural members, commodity groups and agri-businesses in KZN, has recommended to government that an economic security risk analysis be conducted on the location of the toll plaza.

“We strongly believe that the findings would more than justify the relocation or removal of the toll in its entirety. We call on government to acknowledge the risk that exists with its location,” said CEO of Kwanalu, Sandy La Marque.

The call is supported by the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, AgBiz.

“ In addition to the move, a high security fence should be erected to secure the freeway through the whole Mooi River municipal area. AgBiz understands the problems of unemployment and poverty in this area, but proposes that other solutions to this problem be sought and developed, independent of the N3 security,” said AgBiz Chief Executive, Dr John Purchase.

“This has been an ongoing problem; the closure of the toll plaza during the unrest isn’t something we haven’t experienced before. The location of it is jeopardized, and is a catalyst for unrest, a soft-spot, and an identified risk for anyone moving good or services through it,” said La Marque.

La Marque went on to highlight the drastic economic consequences the closure of the toll plaza had on the agricultural value chain of the province.

“It was the reason farmers had to dump milk, not because they wanted to but because they couldn’t move their goods safely through the toll plaza to the rest of the country; we know that 25% of the milk that is produced in KZN is destined for the rest of South Africa. How do you move milk, eggs and other goods that are perishable, that people consume daily, when it is not safe to do so?” asked La Marque.

“Our members deserve the right to be able to continue with the day-to-day economic activities of providing food without the threat to lives or financial implications that using the Mooi River Toll Plaza places on them and their employees,” said La Marque.

For further information on Kwanalu, visit the website www.kwanalu.co.za or follow Kwanalu on Facebook @kwanalu, Instagram kwanalu_kzn and Twitter @Kwanalu1