By To their disappointing discovery, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State during their recent oversight inspection at the border between South Africa and Lesotho just outside Wepener, found no fence but only a steel pole marking the boundary of the two countries.
The Premier Candidate and Provincial Leader and MPL of the DA Dr Roy Jankielsohn says the situation at the boundaries of the two states is shocking; he alleges that it is open sesame for cross-border criminals, of which the South African Police Services (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are involved in the hideous crimes taking place at the border.
“The only evidence of a border is a single steel pole and no fence. The area is known to be a hotspot for Lesotho nationals crossing into South Africa illegally and stolen vehicles and livestock crossing into Lesotho, which poses a massive threat to the local community as well as farmers in the area who are regular victims of cross-border crime,” said Jankielsohn.
Jankielsohn alleges that some of the crimes taking place at the border include arson, illegal grazing with biological risks, farm attacks, livestock theft, vehicle theft and drug trafficking. Other illegal activities include taxi violence and intimidation that are allegedly also perpetrated by syndicates from Lesotho.
While at the border, the DA Leader says they observed that there was no police presence patrolling the area; which is enabling to criminals who deal in drugs and illicit operations to work freely between South Africa and Lesotho.
“It has also been alleged that the SANDF and SAPS units stationed in the area are actively involved in supporting crime syndicates rather than focusing on protecting the border and local communities, including supporting prostitution rings operating in the area.
This failure is not limited to the protection of the border itself but also the local economic development and agricultural sector that brings many jobs to the Free State economy,” said Dr. Roy Jankielsohn.
The Spokesperson of the SAPS in the Free State, Brigadier Montantsi Makhele told The Business Weekly that the police no longer patrol at the border; it is the responsibility of the SANDF and the Border Management Authority (BMA). He explained that the police are only responsible at the ports of entry.
Though stock theft is rife at the border, Makhele says the police are from time to time making success in relation to stock theft at towns and farms in close proximity to the border. Though there are allegations of human trafficking at the border, Brigadier Makhele says there haven’t been any recently reported incidents.
“As I indicated Border Patrol is not direct responsibility of the police, but nevertheless police station along the border line are engaged into rural safety operations to give attention to any incidences combat crimes alongside the border line,” said Brigadier Montantsi Makhele.
The Business Weekly sent a media inquiry to the SANDF two weeks ago, to which they said they will respond; but to date had not responded.
