Question NW2272 to the Minister of Home Affairs
17 July 2023 - NW2272
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Considering that cross-border crime, particularly in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, has left community members living in fear and that since the start of the year there have been countless incidents, including the murders of anti-crime activists, Mr Sandile Mteshe Tembe and Mr Judah Mthethwa, what steps has his department taken to combat cross-border crime in the absence of a fully functioning Border Management Authority?
Reply:
The Border Management Authority has since July 2022, deployed 33 trained Border Guards attached to the Kosibay port of entry and are responsible for the management of the legitimate movement of people and goods. The Border Guards were in terms of Section 334(1), of the Criminal Procedure Act, appointed by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development as “Peace Officers”
In relation to the curbing of crime, the Border Guards execute their border functions in that border environment in collaboration and coordination with other security structures that includes the South African Defence Force (borderline) and with the South African Police Service in the declared ports of entry.
The success obtained since their deployment include the following:
- Arrested undocumented migrants: 360;
- Recovered and stolen vehicles: Toyota Prado and Green Toyota Conquest;
- Confiscation of illicit goods: 3 Bales of second-hand clothing;
- Detection and recovery of stolen properties: 3 Cell phones, 4 laptops and gearbox;
- Seizure of dagga; 33.924kg;
- One suspect was arrested for possession of Maritime Resources (lobsters and crayfish): Valued at R73 600; and
- One suspect was arrested for possession of human tissue (Bellybutton).
END