Police have their hands full at border posts

Since the Lebombo Border has been open for 24 hours from April 12, criminal activity increased, but could not survive with the police controlling the border.

A 32-year-old man from Mozambique was arrested at the Lebombo Border Post last Thursday night, April 14. The police recovered two AK-47 rifles with ammunition in his possession.

They were conducting a stop-and-search at the border gate when a silver Toyota Hilux bakkie with Mpumalanga number plates emerged from Mozambique, coming into South Africa.

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The vehicle was stopped and a search was conducted. The two rifles were discovered underneath some sponge as well as two magazines with ammunition.  The driver indicated to the police that he did not have the licence for the firearms and ammunition.

He was immediately arrested and charged with the possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition.  According to Komatipoort SAPS spokesperson, Natacia Mbuyane, the police at the border were fully prepared for the increase of criminal activity as the opportunity of operating at night became an option.

“We are proud of our members who are taking control at the border. We are keeping things in order as the border is operating day and night,” she said. The police also reported an estimated R1.2m of illicit alcohol and counterfeit goods confiscated at the Lebombo Border Post through the Easter weekend.

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Another arrest involved a 27-year-old suspect who was illegally trafficking dagga when police intercepted him on the afternoon of Monday April 18.

As part of the Easter weekend operations, at around mid-day, the police were busy with their routine duties, including patrolling the border between South Africa and the Kingdom of eSwatini, when they spotted a suspicious man who illegally crossed the border into South Africa.

He was reportedly stopped and upon searching him, the police noticed dagga wrapped on his body, weighing about 1.9 kilograms. The estimated street value
of the dagga is about R3 000.

The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, has sent a stern warning to those who might smuggle illegal items into the country, that they will face the full might of the law.

“South Africa is a country with laws and we cannot allow people to smuggle illegal goods in and out of the country unabated. We thank these members for their vigilance,” she said.

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