A spate of copper and cobalt
thefts on the Copperbelt in
2009 led to the establishment
of a specialist company
responsible for providing
security escorts for over 100
trucks a day.
VS Cargo Security has
expanded into providing
abnormal load escorts and
permits throughout Zambia.
“Currently we also handle
security for all fuel in transit
by rail from South Africa to
various destinations in the
DRC,” says Sandra Valenza,
managing director of VS
Cargo.
What started as an “addon
service for clients” has
developed into a fully fledged
business on its own.
Security is provided
through a combination of
vehicles on the road and
uniformed security guards in
the trucks.
Both are tracked by
satellite and monitored
around the clock from the VS
Cargo control room in Ndola.
Information from the
personal tracking device
carried by the escort is fed
through to the cargo owner to
cross-check the data provided
by the haulier’s system.
All the vehicles are
equipped to provide first
response in the event of a
breakdown or accident, and
the personnel are trained first
aiders.
One of the surprise benefits
has been a reduction in
transit times, according to
Valenza.
“Whenever a driver decides
to break from the convoy to,
for example, visit friends on
the way or to extend his stay
at the border we get a call
from the escort. In some cases
transit times have been halved
from 10 to five days,” she says.
Having a uniformed escort
in the cab also seems to help
speed up transit through road
blocks, she adds.
CAPTION
The VS vehicle and kit … all the vehicles are equipped
to provide first response in the event of a breakdown or
accident, and the personnel are trained first aiders.
