By 
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has condemned what it calls a worsening security crisis facing Zambian truck drivers operating in neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
ZCTU President Blake Mulala warned that drivers entering the Democratic Republic of Congo were being exposed to violence, extortion, and unsafe working conditions.
In an interview with Zambia Monitor, Mulala said the union continued to receive distress reports from transport unions detailing armed robberies, illegal detentions, and harassment of Zambian drivers along major trade corridors linking Zambia to the DRC.
He noted that the Kasumbalesa and Mokambo border routes have become particularly dangerous, with drivers reporting ambushes, looting of cargo, and assaults by criminal groups and, in some cases, individuals in uniform.
Mulala called on the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to urgently engage Congolese authorities and regional security agencies to establish protective measures for cross-border drivers.
“Our drivers are being attacked, robbed, and threatened while simply doing their jobs. Some have been beaten and left injured on the roadside, while others have had their entire trucks looted at gunpoint. This cannot continue,” he said.
According to Mulala, drivers were also subjected to systematic extortion at multiple checkpoints, where they were forced to pay unofficial fees under threat of arrest or violence.
“When a Zambian driver enters the DRC, they are met with a chain of illegal checkpoints. If they do not pay, they risk being detained for hours or days without cause. This is a direct violation of regional trade agreements and basic human rights,” he said.
Mulala emphasized that the DRC remained a key export and import route for Zambia, especially for copper and mining supplies, but the lack of security was undermining trade and endangering lives.
He said ZCTU wanted government to negotiate a bilateral driver protection framework with the DRC that includes secure truck stops, coordinated police escorts in high-risk areas, and a joint incident response unit.
“These drivers are essential workers. They keep our economy moving. Yet we are sending them into danger without proper safeguards. Government must treat this as an urgent national issue because lives are at stake,” Mulala said.
He also asked transport companies to stop compelling drivers to use unsafe routes to meet tight delivery schedules and to invest in driver safety measures.
“Companies must take responsibility. We need mandatory GPS tracking, emergency communication systems, and comprehensive insurance for every driver crossing into high-risk territories. No delivery deadline is worth a human life,” Mulala said.
He said ZCTU had documented cases where drivers were stranded for days without access to food, water, or medical help after being attacked, with little support from authorities on either side of the border.
Mulala said ZCTU plans to hold an emergency meeting with all transport sector affiliates next week to compile a comprehensive report for submission to the ministries of Labour, Transport, and Foreign Affairs.
“If urgent action is not taken, we will be forced to advise our members to suspend operations on these routes. We cannot sacrifice our drivers for the sake of trade. The security of Zambian workers must come first,” he warned.
Mulala cited an incident in which a truck driver was seen being wiped by unknown Congolese in that country.
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