PETROL stations across the country started to run dry on the eve of the Easter weekend as the violence-marred transport strike continued with no end in sight.

The strike by about 30000 drivers is set to drag on after the SA Transport and Allied Workers‘ Union (Satawu) and the Road Freight Employers Association (RFEA) failed to settle a wage dispute.

Although a pay rise has been agreed on, Satawu wants clerical and administrative staff included in the deal.

The Fuel Retailers‘ Association said yesterday some petrol stations across the country had run dry as the strike entered its third day.

Chief executive Reggie Sibiya could not say how many had been affected, but added that most complaints had been received from Shell and Chevron.

BP, Engen and Sasol “have had no issues so far”, he said, adding “Easter doesn‘t make it any easier” as many motorists prepare to go on holiday over the long weekend.

In Nelson Mandela Bay, trucks entering townships have become the main targets of people armed with bricks, stones and petrol bombs.

The extent of the violence against non-striking drivers has prompted Engen not to allow its drivers to go into certain areas, staff at an Engen garage in Zwide said yesterday.

Yesterday, scores of motorists where already being turned away from filling up in places like the Sibanye Engen garage in Koyana Street, Zwide, KwaMagxaki‘s Caltex service station and the Shell garage in KwaNobuhle after fuel non-delivery since Wednesday.

Attacks on truck drivers continued yesterday at the Truck Inn in Markman township where a ZM Transport truck carrying market produce was stoned.

Three Dynamic Express trucks in Deal Party and a brand new JA Bosch garage truck were also stoned in Struandale. Two Dynamic Express drivers, Andrew Johannes and Zongezile Mayana, said they broke free from a stone-throwing group and narrowly escaped with their two trucks after the group attempted to corner them on the Uitenhage Road.

“We were coming from General Motors after off-loading goods there,” said Johannes. “I saw a group approaching in my direction and shouting at me.

“They started throwing stones and I moved to the fast lane. I refused to stop for fear of being killed.”

Both trucks had smashed windows but none of the drivers was injured.

Police said two men were arrested early yesterday for throwing stones at trucks along the Addo road.

The arrests took place after police escorting a fuel truck into the city saw two men stoning a passing truck and gave chase.

“They were arrested for malicious damage to property,” she said, advising motorists to exercise caution in the area.

The situation was tense in the New Brighton area where driver Pule Masau, 29, was seriously injured yesterday when his truck was petrol- bombed and he was beaten up. Police vans were stationed at intersections along Ferguson Road.

Speaking from Greenacres Hospital, Masau, who is in a stable condition, said yesterday he would not have risked his life by working if he had known the strike would get ugly.

Masau said he was on his way from Aqua Marine in Deal Party when he was attacked.

“I was at a traffic circle in Ferguson Road and, as I was about to turn right, I saw three men sitting down. They seemed to be burning something.”

As he turned, he saw a flaming bottle being thrown at his window. “The bottle hit me on my stomach. I was still driving and I had to jump because the truck was starting to burn.”

Masau said he had been driving from Durban when his supervisor had asked him to fetch an empty container at the Aqua Marine depot.

“I‘m sure my bosses saw that other truckers were working and thought it was not dangerous for us to work.

“I was also not afraid as I had not heard of any violent incidents.

“I will only go back when the strike is over. I cannot take that risk again. If I had known the strike would get ugly, I would not have worked.”

Masau, who is originally from the Free State, said he had come to Port Elizabeth about four years ago.

Satawu provincial spokesman Honest Sinama denied the involvement of union members in attacks on non-striking drivers.

“Those are people who are not members of Satawu. Those are criminals and we condemn such acts.”

Despite an agreement between Satawu and the RFEA on Wednesday night, a deal has not yet been signed by the union to end the strike.

“The parties managed to agree on all monetary issues, which include an across the board increase of 11 per cent,” RFEA labour relations manager Magretia Brown said.

But Satawu wanted the terms extended to include employees not covered by the bargaining council, like clerical and administrative staff.