In a recent meeting between the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison and Mozambican authorities, MEC Vusi Shongwe revealed that the department was planning to post traffic officers at the Lebombo border to control overloading of passengers and goods, and also deal with un-roadworthy vehicles.
Shongwe further requested his counterparts in Mozambique to conduct road safety education to their citizens so that they are able to adhere to traffic rules of this country. "We are not punishing your fellow nationals when we enforce the law, but these laws are there to ensure that they arrive safely wherever their destinations are, particularly because they use our roads," said Shongwe.
Meanwhile, after the head of department, Mr Thulani Sibuyi presented information regarding accidents involving Mozambicans, authorities from that country made a call to the department to remove all corrupt officers on borders and roads in order to reduce the scourge of accidents occurring in the Mpumalanga province.
The call was made in a bilateral meeting which was represented by delegates from the department and Mozambican authorities in Mozambique on 7 and 8 June 2012. During discussions, the Mozambican authorities said that if traffic and police officers can stop taking bribes but charge Mozambicans who drive un-roadworthy, overloaded vehicles and those who drive recklessly, many lives could be saved.
They also blamed corruption by officers as one of the factors that perpetrated crime such as illegal immigration and smuggling of illegal goods and accidents involving Mozambicans. Speaking in the meeting, Dr. Abel Nuro, Commander of Police in Maputo said that if possible, police officials should be rotated and not work at the borders for a long time as they get involved in corrupt activities and accept bribes once they are used to a place.
"Road offenders must be arrested, and we need dedicated law enforcers to deal with these problems as they not only increase road accidents, but also affect the economy of the countries. It is about time that we strengthen the relationship that we have and work together to curb these problems," said Nuro.
They have later requested the department to report reckless driving and also constantly share information about criminal activities involving the Mozambicans. MEC Shongwe added that the two countries should constantly communicate and have these meetings to check the progress in dealing with the problems discussed.
Both delegations agreed that they will meet on quarterly basis, and they will plan together and have strategies to deal with the problems and that of managing traffic flow during busy seasons such as the Festive and Easter seasons as many accidents are recorded during that period. The next meeting will be hosted by Mpumalanga.
Other matters that were discussed in the meeting included, rhino poaching, illegal immigration, stock theft, drug and counterfeit goods smuggling and human trafficking.
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
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