Vehicle smuggling has Nkomazi residents at their wit’s end
Despite a joint Border Security Project launched in May this year, residents of Nkomazi allege that members of the SAPS are colluding with vehicle smugglers working on the border between South Africa and Mozambique.
NKOMAZI – The community of Steenbok has accused the police of colluding with car-theft syndicates.
At a meeting in the town on Saturday September 2, community members raised their concerns at the ease with which alleged smugglers crossed the borders into neighbouring countries, despite the local authorities and residents being aware of their whereabouts and the routes they rely on for safe passage.
Addressing the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) MEC Pat Ngomane, residents suggested that the SAPS and SANDF, despite patrolling the borders, are ineffective in their efforts to curb the current scourge.
Speaking to Lowvelder, Eric Khoza, a resident of Mbombela who works in the Nkomazi area said, “Everybody who owns a Toyota Fortuner, Hilux D4D or Ford Ranger is in danger.
“When I drive to Nkomazi I am worried, as no action is being taken. As a South African I don’t feel safe to drive my vehicle there after six in the evenings.”
More information: Borders a doorway for criminal activities
According to the concerned residents, the smugglers (some of whom are known to the local community) mostly target sport utility vehicles and light delivery vehicles. At the meeting residents alleged that there are cases of collusion between the smugglers and members of the local SAPS, making it extremely difficult to report and track down stolen property.
The community urged Ngomane to ensure their safety when giving tip-offs to the SAPS, as they suggested that some of them had been intimidated by suspects after sharing information with the police, this despite the DCSSL, SAPS, SANDF and Nkomazi Local Municipality launching a joint Border Security Project in May.
More information: Border Security Project
Responding to the allegations against the SAPS, Mpumalanga police spokesman, Brig Leonard Hlati, said “Police do patrol the areas and we do make arrests, but we cannot act on broad allegations. We therefore urge people with information regarding these cases to come forward and furnish us with the necessary information to make arrests. We do need to tighten our belt in terms of working together, both community members and station commanders.”
According to Khoza, the joint operation has not made a difference. “We need to sleep with a pistol under our pillow. As residents we are pleading with SAPS and the SANDF to help us, because these stolen vehicles are crossing the border day and night.”
More information: Moz-SA border fence currently a walkover
Responding to the community’s concerns at the meeting on Saturday, the MEC pleaded with the community to work with the police to combat and prevent crime.
“Government will only win the war against crime if effective partnerships between the police and the community exist. Community members should not support rogue elements, even if they are related to them.
Police should also play their part by ensuring that they speedily arrest the suspects and protect whistleblowers. Witnesses of crime should testify in court so that suspects are successfully convicted,” said Ngomane.
