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.
With a rich heritage in the transport industry dating back to the early 1980s, Paul Botha, founder and owner of Pangolin Logistics, is a respected veteran in the trucking sector. One thing has remained constant throughout his career: his passion for DAF Trucks, a brand he describes as “the best truck in the world”.
His affinity for the brand dates back to the early 2000s, when his previous company – at the time one of South Africa’s largest independent specialist freight operators – ran a fleet of 250 DAF CF85 units on cross-border routes between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After taking a sabbatical from the industry, Botha returned in 2016 with the establishment of Pangolin Logistics. By 2018, the company had acquired its first DAF XF105 units, and the fleet quickly expanded into double digits over the following years. These trucks were deployed 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. During the second quarter of 2026, the company took delivery of five XF 480 and five XF 530 units, with a further five XF 530 trucks scheduled to join the fleet soon. The new trucks complement an existing fleet of eight older DAF XF105 units still operating within the business. According to Botha, these units will also be replaced with new DAF models next year.
For Botha, several factors influence purchasing decisions, with total cost of ownership (TCO), reliability, driver comfort and aftermarket support ranking 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.
“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.”
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 to Botha, who began his career as an owner-driver in the 1980s, regularly covering between 25 000 km and 30 000 km per month.
“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 explains.
“With their spacious cabs and premium comfort features, the new DAF units are extremely comfortable, and our drivers love them.”
Pangolin Logistics also benefits from Babcock’s flexible finance solutions, which Botha says simplify the truck purchasing process. He adds that Babcock’s deep understanding of the transport industry enables the company to offer tailored financing structures suited to individual business requirements.
Botha also commends Babcock’s guaranteed buy-back and trade-back options, which assist with cost management and cash-flow planning. In addition, all 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.
Finally, 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.”
