Residents of Nondabuya in Jozini Local Municipality have expressed growing frustration over cross-border crime targeting their vehicles, speaking to SABC News.
Locals reported that criminal syndicates frequently hijack bakkies and other large vehicles, two weeks ago, two people were killed and their vehicles smuggled into Mozambique.
Community members said the attacks happen regularly, with criminals exploiting porous borders to smuggle stolen vehicles into neighboring countries. While police do sometimes make arrests, residents say the problem is growing, leaving communities terrorized, fearful and calling for urgent government intervention.
Locals urged authorities to improve cross-border cooperation and increase patrols, saying that there is a need for better surveillance and closer coordination with law enforcement in neighboring countries. They also linked the rise in crime to high unemployment, warning that long-term solutions must address underlying socioeconomic issues.
Community safety structures have been set up to respond to the threats, with residents taking some steps to protect themselves and report incidents. While these structures have been praised for their organisation, locals said they need more government support, resources, and training to decisively deal with the increasingly bold heavily armed syndicates.
Provincial Government Efforts In
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa visited the Kosi Bay Border Post on Friday, 27 June 2025, inspecting gates 6 and 8. Their visit focused on assessing patrol operations, surveillance systems, and border infrastructure to identify loopholes and beef up the security.
During the inspection, Premier Ntuli praised local safety structures, calling them heroes protecting residents from criminal syndicates.
MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa added, “Cross-border crime not only threatens community safety, but also undermines economic development and regional cooperation. This visit sends a clear message: KwaZulu-Natal will not be a haven for criminal operations.”
As part of the visit, uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality Mayor T. Khumalo handed over a drone to support the BMA, SAPS, and community structures in monitoring key border points. Officials said the technology would improve fast response and help secure the area against syndicate activity.
Through these measures, KwaZulu-Natal aims to turn its border areas into safer corridors for legal trade, economic growth, and community security. The provincial government confirmed its commitment to working closely with residents and frontline officers to tackle cross-border crime effectively.
