Pangolin Logistics upgrades fleet with ten new DAF trucks from Babcock
AS part of its fleet replacement programme, Pangolin Logistics has taken delivery of ten new DAF trucks from Babcock. The new fleet, comprising five XF 480 and five XF 530 units, has been deployed in a cross-border side-tipper application, transporting bulk commodities between mining towns in South Africa and Mozambique.
Paul Botha, founder and owner of Pangolin Logistics, is a respected veteran in the trucking sector. Botha’s association with DAF Trucks dates back more than two decades.
Before establishing Pangolin Logistics in 2018, his previous company ran a fleet of 250 DAF CF85 units locally and on cross-border routes between South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since returning to the industry, Pangolin Logistics has deployed DAF vehicles in demanding side-tipper operations, transporting bulk commodities such as iron ore and chrome from mining regions including Rustenburg, Brits, Steelpoort and Phalaborwa to Mozambique.
In early 2026, Pangolin Logistics began replacing some of the DAF XF105 units acquired between 2018 and 2020.
The company has now taken delivery of ten new DAF trucks (five XF 480 and five XF 530 units), with a further five XF 530 trucks scheduled to join the fleet.
For Botha, several factors influence purchasing decisions: total cost of ownership (TCO), reliability, driver comfort and aftermarket support rank among the most important. The ultimate goal, he explains, is to maximise uptime and fuel efficiency while minimising operating costs, all of which directly impact profitability.
“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.
“We have found DAF trucks, especially the XF105, to be exceptionally reliable, even under the harsh operating conditions in which we deploy them.”
Fuel efficiency is another critical consideration, particularly in today’s volatile operating environment. According to Botha, the new DAF units have already demonstrated impressive results in this regard after just two months 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.
Driver comfort is equally important. “With their spacious cabs and premium comfort features, the new DAF units are extremely comfortable,” says Botha.
Pangolin Logistics benefits from Babcock’s flexible finance solutions, which simplify the truck purchasing process. Botha says Babcock’s deep understanding of the transport industry enables the company to offer tailored financing structures suited to individual business requirements.
Babcock’s guaranteed buy-back and trade-back options assist with cost management and cash-flow planning, and trucks financed through Babcock Financial Services are supplied with repair and maintenance contracts. These managed maintenance plans are designed to minimise operating costs and ensure timely servicing, thereby reducing downtime.
Botha highlights the strong relationship between Pangolin Logistics and Babcock, the sole distributor of DAF Trucks in South Africa, as a key factor in the company’s continued investment in the brand.
“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,” he says.
“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.”
Learn more at https://www.babcock.co.za/
Email: sue.troskie@babcock.co.za/
