The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube has concluded her oversight visit to the border between Mozambique and South Africa, in Manguzi, Umkhanyakude District Municipality, under the auspices of Operation Siyahlola, to assess progress on the construction of Jersey barrier walls.
This project, which covers about 25 km 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 this area. The project, which was mainly conceived to prevent easy egress for stolen vehicles and livestock, is being implemented in three phases.
The Premier was accompanied by the Mayor of Umkhanyakude District Municipality Councillor Siphile Mdaka, police and senior government officials.
“Today we noted good progress in the construction of the phase that cuts through Gate 6, one of the hot spot segments of the border line. 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,” said Premier Dube after spending the Human Rights Day inspecting the site today.
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 Stabilizing Team, Amakhosi and other crime fighting structures to address issues of criminality in the area,” said the Premier.
The 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.
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For more information contact the Head of Provincial Government Communications Bongi Gwala on 072 793 4757 or Acting Media Liaison Joseph Cubai on 060 534 4187
ISSUED BY KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT