SA becomes smuggling capital of SADC

SA HAS become a magnet for highly-organised criminal syndicates and is the hub for stolen vehicles and illicit smuggling in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, according to the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies (ISS). In a report from the East African Standard carried in the Trade Law Centre (tralac) newsletter, it was stressed that – of the 14 countries in the SADC – SA’s economy is by far the largest. The opening of SA’s borders after 1994 benefited both legal and illegal trade, according to the ISS report. Before that date, SA military and police control of borders was rigid. “Subsequently,” said the institute, “more trade and more people have reduced risks for trade in illicit cars.” The Beit Bridge border crossing with Zimbabwe is alleged to be a major route for stolen cars – with the report citing lack of co-ordination between different border departments and corruption among border officials as reasons. It recommends, among other strategies, increasing the investigative capacity of the border police.