Newscenter Media News A “collapse of control” along the Limpopo/Zimbabwe border, apart from fuelling organised crime, also threatens tourism and agriculture as well as jeopardising the future of a World Heritage Site, a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) maintains.
A major concern for Jacques Smalle, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Economic Development, Environment and Tourism spokesman in South Africa’s northernmost province, is the risk posed to the continued existence of Mapungubwe National Park at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. A statement has him saying provincial premier Pophi Ramathuba should mobilise “government resources without delay” to address “the total collapse of border control” in the vicinity of the park.
The border control failure along a section of the 220 km plus border between Limpopo and Zimbabwe has, according to Smalle, seen a surge in organised smuggling syndicates. They “operate with impunity, exploiting the incapacity of safety and security forces that appear either unable or unwilling to act”. This he sees impacting on the integrity of the national park and affecting the sustainability of tourism and agriculture in the area.
The theft and subsequent recovery of a high-end Toyota bakkie from Madimbo village by 10 Anti-Aircraft Regiment gunners currently deployed on the border protection tasking Operation Corona last month (March) is one example of criminality in the far northern border area. Soldiers on foot and vehicle patrols acting on intelligence and reports from strategically positioned observation posts (OPs) regularly intercept Zimbabweans attempting to enter South Africa illegally. As an example, in February 108 Zimbabweans were stopped and handed to police and Department of Home Affairs (DHA) officials. This was the single highest number recorded by soldiers of illegals from any bordering country attempting to enter South Africa sans the necessary documentation.
Smalle raised his concerns at a recent meeting on border control problems. Convened by Limpopo agricultural and tourism stakeholders, it was attended by representatives of the Border Management Authority (BMA), SA National Defence Force (SANDF), SA Police Service (SAPS) and other interested and affected parties. On the meeting he said there was verbal commitment to collaborate with the private sector, but the lack of resources and inability to act was starkly exposed.
The MPL further noted the so-called Madimbo corridor was used to move stolen vehicles across the border and farmers told him of intimidation and threats. Apparently drones are in some instances used to monitor law enforcement and keep a weather eye on local communities.
In support of his call to mobilise resources, Smalle has written to the Limpopo premier asking for more government involvement along the Limpopo/Zimbabwe border.
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