readers' forum
Truck ban will enhance road safety and help economy
October 27, 2009
The planned ban of some trucks from our roads is long overdue. It has never made economic sense that such an extensive railway system, a public form of transport, should be left idle in favour of private road transport.
Apart from the damage to the roads, trucks make road travelling dangerous.
For ordinary motorists, trucks are an impediment and have added to the carnage on the roads. Yes, the banning of such trucks will affect the earnings of those who have such trucks, but it will help the economy of the country as a whole.
This ban should also be accompanied by a strict regulation of the number of trucks that individuals and firms can be allowed to have, as well as a heavy toll on such vehicles.
R Tuelo Leteane
Markeng
Nedbank's ASA snub deserves applause
Given that Nedbank chose to close the door on Athletics South Africa (ASA), the banking group won't be having any sleepless nights over its decision.
In fact it did the right thing and, in the process, has made rubbish of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's threats or his racial hysteria.
With the Nedbank Million Dollar golf tournament pending and now being dubbed as "Africa's major", this sporting spectacle will, as always, draw enormous coverage throughout the world.
For this reason, it will be more than foolhardy if Malema and his gang try to disrupt that tournament, especially when his ANC cohorts will be watching, and its bigwigs will probably be awarding the big prize when it is over.
Rita Easton
Durban
Labour broking injects life into our economy
Your article ("State pays R140 million to labour brokers", October 22) refers.
When our labour minister says "the reality is labour broking is a form of human trafficking", he is quite clearly pointing a finger at our government.
The fact that the state spends more than R100m on labour brokers shows that the industry is alive, well and extremely functional.
Labour broking not only keeps our government structurally sound, but it also enhances the nursing, security, trucking and cleaning industries.
The ongoing questioning of the industry is certainly not helpful. Obviously, it is more difficult to recruit union members and to ensure that the laws are adhered to. These difficulties must be overcome.
Michael Bagraim
Highlands Estate
Cape Town
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