Makeshift smuggling bridge over Limpopo destroyed in anti-crime op

The destruction of a makeshift bridge along the Limpopo River on Friday, 20 February, which was used by some foreigners for smuggling goods and people into and out of South Africa, came as a surprise to many who frequently relied on it. However, local residents feel this will not do much to curb the illegal cross-border traffic.

“It was a surprise, as we had used the bridge the previous day to enter South Africa,” said one person the Limpopo Mirror spoke to earlier this week. She often used the makeshift bridge to cross the river. “We had to make another plan, but we took advantage of the fact that there wasn’t much water in the river, so we used an alternative route a few metres from the destroyed bridge,” the source added. She mentioned that they still feared unpredictable arrests by the police.

The Limpopo Mirror spoke to several people living near the Limpopo River. Most expressed concern, believing that those entering the country through illegal routes often trade in illicit goods and steal from the Musina communities. Some also blame border security personnel for allegedly accepting bribes.

"People coming in and going out of South Africa using makeshift bridges are a concern to our community. They steal and then leave through undesignated entry and exit points, making them untraceable. I blame the security personnel patrolling the border, as I believe they accept bribes. This isn’t the first time a makeshift bridge has been destroyed, yet we still see people using another makeshift bridge,” said Sewani Kaunda, a resident of Musina.

Another Musina resident, who preferred to be called Bra Solly, said that whether people entered the country legally or illegally, they were still their brothers and sisters as they brought business to the people of Musina. "The problem arises when they steal and use illegal routes when leaving,” said Solly, who also believes that those using illegal routes will simply build another makeshift bridge, and it will take time for the police to discover it.

When asked about measures in place to prevent the bridge from being rebuilt, Col Amanda van Wyk stated that the police would remain vigilant on the ground, fighting crime to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.

According to Col van Wyk, the destruction of the makeshift bridge is part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a government initiative aimed at addressing illicit mining activities in South Africa. The operation, established in 2023, involves the police, the South African National Defence Force, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Date:27 September 2024

By: Bernard Chiguvare

Bernard Chiguvare is a Zimbabwean-born journalist. He writes mainly for the online publication, Groundup.

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