CAPE TOWN – Dr. Michael Masiapato, the Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), has issued a strong warning against criminals engaging in illegal activities at South Africa’s borders. This comes in the wake of several arrests made at different ports of entry involving the seizure of illicit and stolen goods.
According to South African Government News Agency, recent operations have been successful in apprehending suspects and recovering stolen items. On Wednesday, a Mozambican national was arrested at the Kosi Bay port of entry after being found with stolen goods, including four solar panels and 11 tower batteries. This operation, based on intelligence information, uncovered items that were part of a significant theft in the Empangeni area, where 84 tower batteries and solar panels belonging to Eskom were stolen. The suspect was subsequently handed over to the Manguzi police station following verification by Eskom’s investigating team.
Another operation by the BMA at the Qachas Nek segment in the Eastern Cape land border resulted in the arrest of two men. Conducted in collaboration with Avondale police and border police members, the operation targeted two homesteads along the borderline. The suspects were found in possession of unlicensed firearms, including a rifle, a revolver, and 48 rounds of ammunition. They are currently detained at the Avondale police station.
Dr. Masiapato emphasized the BMA’s commitment to maintaining strict border law enforcement and control measures to detect and prevent illegal activities. He noted that BMA border guards are deployed to intercept criminal activities and ensure law and order at the nation’s ports of entry.
The BMA, recognized as the third armed service in South Africa after the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service, is tasked with performing border management functions within ports of entry and law enforcement areas. These recent arrests highlight the BMA’s active role in safeguarding the country’s borders against various forms of criminal activities.