By OBAKENG MAJE
30 January 2025- Two suspects from Tanzania (42) and Zambia (39), were arrested for dealing in drugs near Zeerust on Wednesday. The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng has applauded law enforcement officials for their swift and effective response in arresting suspects in a recent drug bust near Zeerust.
Morweng said the operation, which resulted in the seizure of illicit substances called Crystal Meth, demonstrates commitment to tackle the scourge of drug-related crime in the province. He further commended the police and traffic officers for their diligence and professionalism in executing the arrest.
“The drugs are dangerous and mainly affect young people negatively. Therefore, we must commend men and women in uniform for their stunning work on the arrest.
“The preliminary investigations suggest that the street value of these substances is over R30 million. However, the confirmed value will be determined as further investigations unfold,” he added.
Morweng said the investigation will be conducted with utmost thoroughness, ensuring that all aspects are meticulously examined.
Meanwhile, the Action SA provincial chairperson, Kgosi Kwena Mangope said: “We strongly condemn the African National Congress (ANC) catastrophic failure in border management, which has once again been exposed by the recent drug bust at the Zeerust Border Post.
“This incident is yet another example of how South Africa’s porous borders have become gateways for criminal syndicates to operate with impunity. The ANC’s inability to enforce effective border security has not only facilitated organised crime, but also placed communities at risk by allowing illicit activities to flourish unchecked.”
Mangope said while commending law enforcement for intercepting the drug shipment, they emphasise that this incident starkly exposes the ANC’s long-standing inability to secure South Africa’s borders. He said the Action SA believes that Morweng’s admission that corrupt officials may have facilitated this drug trafficking operation is a damning indictment of the ANC’s governance.
“The interception of one drug shipment cannot be celebrated, while acknowledging the department’s own systemic failure. The fact that these drugs were being transported from Zambia via a minibus taxi highlights how easily international criminal syndicates exploit South Africa’s porous borders.
“This crisis stems directly from decades of ineffective immigration policies and border mismanagement under ANC rule. Action SA highlights two critical failures such as the complete collapse of border security infrastructure and patrol capacity,” he said.
Mangope alleged that this endemic corruption enabled criminal syndicates to operate freely. He said furthermore, this drug bust is only a symptom of a much larger problem.
“Undocumented foreign nationals now make up an estimated 10% of South Africa’s population. The ANC must take full responsibility for turning our borders into a haven for transnational criminals.
“Action SA remains committed to securing our borders for a safer and more prosperous South Africa. The people of the North West deserve better,” said Mangope.
The Guardian 