In a proactive move to combat cross-border vehicle theft and smuggling, South African authorities have embarked on a multimillion-dollar project to construct concrete barriers along strategic sections of the border with Mozambique. With a budget of nearly $2.7 million (£2.1 million), the fortification initiative aims to secure the nation’s boundaries and safeguard its citizens’ assets.
The comprehensive barrier system comprises three key sections:
– An 8km (5-mile) barrier near the renowned Tembe Elephant Park
– An 8km-long stretch adjacent to the picturesque iSimangaliso Wetland Park
– A 9km wall spanning from the western boundary of Tembe Elephant Park towards the Pongolo River
According to a joint briefing by the South African government and KwaZulu-Natal province, construction work on the Tembe Elephant Park section is already underway, signaling the authorities’ commitment to expediting the project’s completion.
The community and the South African National Defense Force have welcomed the project’s impact, underscoring the barrier’s potential to deter criminal activities and enhance border security.
The effectiveness of the barrier has already been demonstrated by a failed attempt to drive a stolen SUV over it using “iron ladders,” which ultimately led to the perpetrators setting the vehicle ablaze to destroy evidence.
In conjunction with the barrier’s construction, Defence web reports that 15 companies of troops have been deployed to safeguard South Africa’s borders, with a particular focus on the “high-risk borders” with Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. This comprehensive approach combines physical barriers with enhanced personnel deployment, reflecting the nation’s resolute stance against cross-border criminal activities.
