The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has requested the Department of Transport to fast-track the raising of a concrete barrier wall along the South Africa and Mozambique border to curb the theft of vehicles and movement of illicit goods.

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KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, conducted an oversight visit to the border between Mozambique and South Africa in Manguzi, in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, as part of 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 KwaZulu-Natal government in 2018 as part of a basket of interventions to fight crime in the area.

The project was mainly conceived to hinder the movement of especially stolen vehicles and livestock across the border and is being implemented in three phases.

Speaking during the site inspection on Thursday, Dube-Ncube noted good progress in the construction of the phase that cuts through Gate 6 – one of the hotspot segments of the border.

“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.

The premier, who was accompanied by Umkhanyakude District Municipality Mayor Siphile Mdaka, police and senior government officials, said the provincial government is working with its social partners to break the back of criminal syndicates that terrorise 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 Specialized KZN Stabilising Team, Amakhosi and other crime-fighting structures to address issues of criminality in the area.”

Dube-Ncube noted that interventions are already yielding positive results as several high-profile criminals have been arrested and are facing prosecution.

“Already several cars have been found stuck and abandoned, some hanging on the jersey barriers because syndicates could not take them across to Mozambique because of the high border walls,” the premier said. – SAnews.gov.za