Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
by Andrew Louw – DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate
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Date: 25 October 2018
Release: Immediate
Note to Editors: Find attached English and Afrikaans sound clips from Andrew Louw, DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate
An oversight inspection I conducted at the Rietfontein border post between the Northern Cape and Namibia, along with DA provincial chair Harold McGluwa, revealed that the border remains weak. A chronic lack of resources exposes our country to an influx of drugs, stock theft across the border and other criminal elements.
Image removed by sender. Image removed by sender.
There is no accommodation available for either Home Affairs or SAPS officers at the post. The post therefore does not function around the clock, as it should. When Home Affairs closes at 17:00 and SAPS closes at 19:00, there is nobody to guard the border. What happens at night will only be discovered in the morning, if at all.
The fence which is in place, is there to deter animal movement and can easily be scaled by people bringing drugs into our country or taking stolen goods out of it.
The post does not have drug testing equipment or a canine unit to prevent smuggling. SAPS will soon only have one female officer to do physical searches. In these circumstances, it is far too easy to bring contraband into our country.
We might as well close the post and acknowledge that this port of entry is a free for all!
The Democratic Alliance will follow up with both Home Affairs and SAPS to address these matters urgently. We must secure our borders, restore law and order and, in so doing, protect our communities from crime.
Only a change through a DA-led government can ensure that our safety and security improves.
You can download the pictures here and here
Media Enquiries
Andrew Louw
DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate
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Researcher
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