The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) has welcomed the recent 53-year conviction of cross-border vehicle hijacker and smuggler, Sipho Mhlanga.

Mhlanga was sentenced to 53 years by the Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The CEO of the C-BRTA, Lwazi Mboyi, says the agency notes the progress registered by the country’s law enforcement authorities in the fight against cross-border crimes.

“This is a step in the right direction because cross-border crimes and related syndicates frustrate South Africa’s efforts to improve and build healthy trade between the country and neighbouring countries.

“It is for this reason that we commend the work that has been done thus far, and we would like to wish the SAPS well in their efforts to eliminate cross-border crimes,” Mboyi says.

Mhlanga’s arrest and subsequent conviction followed ‘sterling work’ by the SAPS deployed to the northern part of KZN to clamp down on cross-border criminality.

The C-BRTA is a statutory body operating in a commercial environment, with government represented by the Minister of Transport being the shareholder.

The agency facilitates the unimpeded flow of freight and passenger cross-border movements and plays a critical role in the implementation of cross-border road transport agreements and issuing of cross-border operator permits. – SAnews.gov.za