The Government of KwaZulu-Natal has requested the Department of Transport to fast-track the raising of a concrete barrier wall along the South Africa and Mozambique border.
The purpose of this barrier is to curb the theft of vehicles and movement of illicit goods.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, on Thursday conducted an oversight visit to the border between Mozambique and South Africa in Manguzi, in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, under the auspices of Operation Siyahlola, to assess progress on the construction of jersey barrier walls.
The project, which covers about 25km of the vulnerable border line, was initiated by the provincial government in 2018 as part of a basket of interventions to fight crime in the area.
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The project, which is being implemented in three phases, was mainly conceived to prevent an easy egress for stolen vehicles and livestock from South Africa to the neighbouring country.
Speaking during the site inspection along the border, the Premier noted good progress in the construction of the phase that cuts through Gate 6 – one of the hotspot segments of the border line.
“The concrete slab foundation to conclude this phase has been laid and we are confident that the construction will move quicker. We have directed the Department of Transport to fast track the raising of the walls,” Dube-Ncube said.
Accompanied by Umkhanyakude District Municipality Mayor, Siphile Mdaka, police and senior government officials, she said the provincial government is working with its social partners “to break the back of criminal syndicates that terrorize the communities along the borderline.”
“As we announced during the State of the Province Address, government is also pursuing diplomatic channels to coordinate strategic efforts to fight cross border crime. We are working closely with the newly established Border Management Authority, the SAPS [South African Police Service] Specialized KZN Stabilising Team, Amakhosi and other crime fighting structures to address issues of criminality in the area.”
Dube-Ncube also pointed out that interventions are already yielding positive results as several high-profile criminals have been arrested and are facing prosecution.
