Masemola, soldiers to intensify fight against crime

As part of his continued effort to build good relations with law enforcement agencies in order to intensify the fight against crime in the province, Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola met with military generals at the Joint Tactical (JTAC) Headquarters Limpopo on Monday.
The initiative was meant to establish a working relationship towards advancing the safety of the people of the province and simultaneously learn about the challenges faced by soldiers in Limpopo. The issues raised during the meeting included cigarette and gun smuggling, human trafficking and illegal border crossings.

Commanding Officer: JTAC Limpopo, Jacob Mabaso indicated that the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border posts were a major challenge when coming to illegal border crossings due to there being no functional fence. That while the Botswana border gate was now being used to smuggle drugs and other illegal goods because it does not have a scanner and officials deployed to the area only work from 06:00 until 22:00. He further said soldiers are sometimes unable to execute their duties due to differences with the Police. Mabaso also stressed a need for a military hospital in Limpopo as at present soldiers requiring serious medical treatment have to be transported to Pretoria. According to Mabaso, it was risky to appoint an external company to procure food for military.
When responding to the issues Masemola concurred that illegal border crossing was a major concern as this put the safety of Limpopo residents in danger. “I visited different escape routes in Musina last week and I was surprised to find smooth roads that are reportedly linking Zimbwabe villages with Limpopo River. I also suspect that our equipment is being used to keep these escape routes open. We require special attention to Vhembe district and I doubt the Police will be able to handle the area without assistance from the military. I fully agree that appointing a private company to supply military with food is a dangerous exercise which will be looked into and rectified,” Masemola stated.
He further said they were planning a safety summit in October to meet with law enforcement agencies to strategise and come up with effective ways that can be used to fight crime in Limpopo.

Story/photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za