EFF members, truck drivers and taxi operators this week blocked the Lebombo Border Post due to crime that is allegedly taking place in the area.

According to the deputy chairperson of EFF in Ehlanzeni, Sifiso Nkuna, they are tired of the crime at the border gate. They want the police to deal with an alleged group of criminals who call themselves the Challengers.

Nkuna said they will not open the road until either Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe or Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Mandla Ndlovu comes to address them.

“These ‘Challengers’ are damaging people’s cars, robbing them of their belongings and raping women. Nothing is being done to deal with them,” said Nkuna.

“We called a protest to close the road, so that we could gain the attention of the authorities to intervene. We are doing this to protect all people who are using this port of entry. We demand intervention from the provincial government and law enforcement agencies,” he added.

Nkuna alleged that the Challengers are made up of young people from South Africa and Mozambique.

“We will not rest until they are dealt with. If neither of the MECs comes to address us, people will be stuck on the N4 for the whole day. So, it’s up to them to make sure that we open the road.

“As for the Challengers, if the police don’t deal with them, the community will,” he warned.

Protest cleared, congestion remains

It is unclear whether one of the MECs addressed the protesters, but according to TRAC N4 Toll Route, the protest action has been cleared.

#TRACN4route 09/12 at 14:02. #ProtestActions cleared btw Mananga IS + Lebombo border (N4/8X km 68.0) #Komatipoort

— TRAC N4 Toll Route (@TRACN4route) December 9, 2022

However, according to data from Google Maps, there is still heavy congestions at the border.