Mbombela - Mpumalanga police and the army have been urged to clamp down on all illegal border crossings, especially around the Mananga border with Swaziland.
Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe, made the call on Wednesday when Mananga residents complained that it was unfair for them to pay for passports when it was easy to pass through illegally further along the fence.
"Patrols must be intensified as the community living near the border said it was useless for them to use the port of entry while the illegal crossings were close-by," said Shongwe's spokesman, Joseph Mabuza, on Thursday.
Mabuza said the community raised the matter during a border security campaign that recently took place in Mananga.
"The residents have called on the MEC to assist them to get free passports and, if not, be allowed to continue using illegal crossings. They complained that passports were too expensive for them as most of them are unemployed," he said.
From 1 April 2011, Home Affairs raised the cost of a passport from R190 to R400.
Mabuza said some residents have relatives in Swaziland. Others also complained about the cost of bringing in goods from neighbouring countries.
Robert Mkhwanazi, a community leader who co-organised the meeting, warned residents about the dangers of using the illegal border entrances.
"People get killed and women are robbed and raped in those areas. I urge residents not to cross illegally and stop harbouring strangers or illegal immigrants in their homes. They must call police if they suspect a stranger (sic)," Mkhwanazi said in a statement.
MEC Shongwe said the same people who wanted to illegally travel between Mpumalanga and Swaziland would later blame government when their livestock was stolen and taken out of the country.
"They will also blame government when their families become victims of human trafficking. Police and soldiers must strengthen security at the border lines as this will also reduce crime," he said.
He also urged the community to apply for passports, use legal ports of entry and refrain from illegal crossings.
"They should not become the victims of crimes such as human trafficking. Stock theft is also rife and it is also dangerous at these illegal crossings. It is a crime to use illegal crossings," he said.
Shongwe said the police and army would continue to guard the borderlines and will arrest those who break the law, including corrupt officials working at the border.