By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
31 March 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) and Botswana Cross Border operations that commenced from 27 until 30 March 2025, along the Van Zylsrus, Witdraai, Gemsbokpark, Twee Rivieren, Middlepits and McCarthysrus borderline, yielded numerous successes. The police in Northern Cape said the main focus of the operations, included illegal activities in relation to cross border crimes.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the police ensured that there is monitoring and strict compliance of border management activities, as well as addressing crimes pertaining to trafficking of drugs, firearms, stock theft, vehicle theft and preventing the flow of undocumented immigrants. Kock said the operations were executed by members of SAPS Border Police, Kimberley and Upington VCIU, Upington Stock theft and Endangered Species as well as the JTG and ZFM Districts members respectively, under the overall command of Colonel Sibusiso Msimango, who in conjunction with SAN Parks and the Border Management Agency, participated in the disruptive actions.
“Actions and activities executed during the commencement of the operations included compliance inspections, vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols along the border line and secondary roads, prevention of in transit crimes, illegal drugs and other commodities smuggling.
“Several vehicle check points (VCPs) were conducted and 221 vehicles and 638 persons were stopped and searched. Numerous operational successes were achieved, including compliance visits conducted by the multi-disciplinary law enforcement officials and numerous fines for contravention of the road traffic violations,” he said.
Kock further said the police also confiscated a large amount of liquor in Van Zylsrus and fined the owner R1500, for illegally dealing in alcohol. He added that a man (52), was arrested in Heuningvlei with a stolen GWM bakkie and goats’ worth approximately R40 000.
“The suspect is expected to appear in Court soon on charges of theft of motor vehicle and stock theft. The team also followed up on leads and confiscated a firearm and ammunition from a Van Zylsrus farm and opened an inquiry into the matter,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the policing of cross border crimes is key as it combats cross border smuggling and other crimes. Otola said the police will continue fiercely to combat illegal and unregulated activities along the borderline and ensure that citizens and visitors are and feel safe when utilizing the border posts.
The Guardian 