Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has expressed excitement over SAPS operations at Lebombo Border Post saying the country's border is safe and secure.
This follows his visit on Friday at the border where he found more than 20 stolen vehicles impounded by the border police meant to illegally cross the border. Most of the vehicles were stolen in Gauteng but were recovered by the Lebombo Border police.
The police are working very hard to detect all these. I am happy because even the border officials have vowed not to take leave during the festive season, this shows patriotism. I was told they did not take leave during the Easters, 2010 World Cup and now the festive season.
"We are going to assist the police with unprompted road blocks, stop and search operations and the raids at the taverns in order to reduce traffic. This will take place long after the festive season," said MEC Shongwe.
He added that although the police were doing a great job, they still needed a device that would do the work much easier in searching especially the personal belongings.
He said he was impressed by the manner in which the border was manned following the renovations and the construction of additional facilities to allow thousands of people to cross to Mozambique.
The MEC was also briefed that a new facility called Kilometer 7 is now being used to process commercial freight such as trucks, busses and taxis.
Once processed in South Africa, the people are escorted to Mozambican Customs and Immigrations Office. The border is operating 24hours until the second week of January.
The police officers complained to the MEC that they worked under severe heat as there was not adequate shelter following high temperature at Komatipoort.
Government will look at these challenges because such uncomfortability might lead to the officers not doing their work efficiently thereby resorting to corruption. Corruption is generally rife at the borders because foreigners are allegedly paying bribes for faster service.
"I am generally impressed by the systems in place to provide maximum security. It is unfortunate that the concerns raised especially by the police officers are genuine, however they may not be fixed tomorrow because government operates according to plans and budget," said MEC Shongwe.
He was told that the soldiers manning the borderline were not enough, he promised to take the matter to the ministry.