Pangolin Logistics, a leading independent side-tipper operation transporting bulk commodities between mining regions in South Africa and Mozambique, is strengthening its cross-border fleet with ten new DAF trucks from Babcock, comprising five XF 480 and five XF 530 units.

The investment reflects the long-standing confidence the fleet’s founder and owner Paul Botha has in the DAF brand, its products, aftersales support and personnel.

In an industry that turns on long-term partnerships between operators and OEMs, the relationship Botha has with DAF has been forged over decades of experience in some of Southern Africa’s most demanding freight corridors.

“Truck reliability is the foundational pillar of any successful transport business,” says Botha. “It directly influences profit margins, customer retention and operational continuity. A truck standing idle due to mechanical failure costs money in lost productivity, driver wages and potential penalties. Reliable trucks reduce emergency repair costs and ensure uninterrupted operations.

“Over the years, we have found DAF trucks – especially the XF105 – to be exceptionally reliable, even under the harsh operating conditions in which we deploy them.”

Decades of DAF experience
Botha’s association with DAF dates back to the early 2000s, when his previous transport company operated a fleet of 250 DAF CF85 trucks across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After returning to the industry in 2018 and establishing Pangolin Logistics, he again turned to DAF, introducing XF105 units into the fleet. The trucks have since been deployed in side-tipper operations transporting bulk commodities including iron ore and chrome from mining regions such as Rustenburg, Brits, Steelpoort and Phalaborwa into Mozambique.

Earlier this year, Pangolin Logistics began replacing some of the XF105 units acquired between 2018 and 2020. The ten new-generation XF trucks complement an existing fleet of eight XF105 units, which Botha says will also be replaced with new DAF models next year. A further five XF 530 units are scheduled to join the fleet in the near future.

Fuel savings deliver early results
Alongside reliability, fuel efficiency remains a key factor in Pangolin Logistics’ purchasing decisions, particularly in an operating environment where margins are increasingly under pressure and total cost of ownership (TCO) is always top-of-mind.

According to Botha, the new DAF trucks are already demonstrating measurable gains after only a short period in service.

“We are already seeing fuel savings of between 80 and 100 litres of diesel per trip, depending on the route and the driver,” he says.

For long-haul operators covering vast distances across Southern Africa, improvements of this magnitude can translate into significant savings over the life of a vehicle.

Comfort supports productivity
Having started his career as an owner-driver in the 1980s, regularly covering between 25 000 km and 30 000 km per month, Botha places considerable emphasis on driver wellbeing.

“In long-haul operations, where drivers spend extended periods on the road and routes often involve unpredictable transit conditions and challenging infrastructure, cab comfort becomes essential for both driver wellbeing and productivity,” he says.

“With their spacious cabs and premium comfort features, the new DAF units are extremely comfortable, and our drivers love them.”

Beyond the truck
Botha also points to Babcock’s finance solutions, repair and maintenance contracts, and guaranteed buy-back and trade-back options as important factors in Pangolin Logistics’ fleet planning strategy.

He says these offerings help simplify vehicle acquisition, improve cash-flow planning and minimise operating costs through managed maintenance programmes designed to maximise uptime.

However, it is the relationship behind the transaction that continues to stand out.

“There are several individuals at Babcock whom I have worked with closely for many years, and they have always supported us every step of the way,” says Botha.

“In today’s highly competitive trucking market, there is often very little separating one brand from another.

“What truly makes the difference is the people behind the brand. The DAF team at Babcock consistently goes above and beyond to support our business,” he concludes.

Editor’s Comment: Pangolin Logistics’ continued investment in DAF demonstrates how TCO fundamentals and nuances – reliability, fuel efficiency, driver acceptance and aftermarket support, combined with trusted supplier relationships – all influence long-term profitability and operational performance.

In an era defined by disruptive forces, loyalty that endures through multiple fleet generations and some of Southern Africa’s toughest operating environments is inspirational.

“Good on you all – Pangolin and DAF!”

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