South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) police have swooped on several suspects who attempted to smuggle stolen goods across the country’s border posts over the past week.
The BMA said in a statement that on Wednesday a Mozambican national was arrested at Kosi Bay after he was found to be in possession of stolen goods. A BMA-led operation, which followed intelligence information, also led to the recovery of four stolen solar panels and 11 tower batteries.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the batteries and panels were among items stolen in the Empangeni area during a business burglary where a total of 84 tower batteries and solar panels belonging to Eskom had been stolen.
The investigating team from Eskom was informed and the suspect was taken to Manguzi police station.
Another BMA operation led to the arrest of two men at the Qachas Nek vulnerable segment at the Eastern Cape land border.
On Tuesday, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted with Avondale police, BMA members and border police at two homesteads along the border, where two men were found in possession of unlicensed firearms, including a rifle, a revolver and 48 rounds of ammunition that were confiscated at the scene. The suspects are being held at the Avondale police station.
BMA commissioner, Michael Masiapato, has issued a strong warning to criminals attempting to cross borders with illicit and stolen goods.
“The Border Management Authority is committed to maintaining border law enforcement with strict control measures in place to detect and prevent illegal activities. The BMA border guards have been deployed to intercept criminal activities and we are committed to maintaining law and order at our ports of entry,” Masiapato said.
The BMA is the third armed service in South Africa after the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Services. It is mandated to perform border management functions within ports of entry and law enforcement areas. – SAnews.gov.za
