Border corruption sparks terrorism fears

The Beit Bridge border. File photo: Motshwari Mofokeng

The Beit Bridge border. File photo: Motshwari Mofokeng

Published Nov 23, 2015

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Johannesburg - Ports of entry around the country which are managed by corrupt police officers and other officials place the country at risk of terrorism and increased criminal activity.

This is according to Johan Burger, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) who expressed concern at the weak border controls around the country.

“Weak border control opens the floodgates for all kinds of criminal activities to occur and also allows dangerous people to enter the country,” he told The Star.

His comments were made after it came to light that 18 police officers and two Home Affairs officials were arrested last week for alleged corruption at the Kopfontein border post, which links South Africa to Botswana.

The group are accused of allowing certain individuals to bypass standard procedures when crossing the border in exchange for bribes.

Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said this included a group of cigarette smugglers, but that the officers and officials also took money from trucks and other drivers who did not want their vehicles searched.

The group are suspected of having carried out the corrupt acts at the border post between June 2014 and March this year.

Burger explained that inadequate security at the country’s borders makes it easier for criminals to leave and enter with stolen vehicles, drugs and other illicit and illegal goods.

“It also makes us vulnerable to acts of terrorism if we don’t properly screen those who enter and leave our borders,” he said.

“It is important for us to make it as difficult as possible for people who shouldn’t be here.”

Although Burger said it was debatable how strong security at the country’s borders were, he admitted it has improved since members of the SANDF were stationed there.

He said in order to ensure that it was as safe as possible at South Africa’s ports of entry, certain measures needed to be implemented. “We need random and regular checks.”

@Karishma_Dipa

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