Evil Spirits, HIV, Awful Trucks Stops Conspire Against South African Big Rig Drivers
Posted by Justin on July 2nd, 2009
The life of a truck driver will never be confused for a glamourous one.
Tight deadlines, long hauls and little sleep all make things dicey for the men and women who pilot these freight-toting behemoths across the world’s highways. But in South Africa, it’s even worse. A 2002 report published in the South African Journal of Science found that civil unrest and unkempt truck stops were more prevalent in the historically troubled nation. The industry even has a staggering HIV rate thanks to a reckless promiscuity culture amongst many drivers.
Finally, the government is stepping in to do something about it.
The Letaba municipality in the north of the country will hold a cleansing ceremony aimed at clearing the road of evil spirits that are believed to contribute to the accidents that have claimed many lives in the past five years, this according to local news source Sowetan.
She said the accidents had been going on for some years and it was time that something was done to make sure the carnage stopped.
She said the ceremony, which will include prayers, will be attended by municipal officials, traditional healers, chiefs, pastors, officials from the department of transport and communities from 11 villages.
“The area is quiet at the moment, but the prayer meeting is vital to save lives,” said Kgamedi Seshoka, spokesperson for the Modjadjiskloof police.
You read that, Ghost Road? You’re days of hectoring convoys are over!
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