The government of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), has resumed construction of a wall along the border with Mozambique to combat cross-border crime and motor vehicle theft.
The wall, which is made up of New Jersey barriers, is being built in the uMkhanyakude district municipality, on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. The first phase of the project, which will cost about 271 million rand, began at the border of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and will run to the western border of Tembe Elephant Park, extending over more than 8 km.
The project began in 2020 but was halted owing to an investigation into the tender awarded to two contractors by the KZN Department of Transport. After the termination of the previous contractor's contract, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, assessed the state of the project and developed a timeline for resuming construction of the concrete anti-crime wall.
The Premier also instructed the Provincial Department of Transport to move quickly with the project, with 5 km of wall already built. According to the Premier, the project aims to address the issue of porous borders, prevent the trafficking of illicit goods and undocumented foreigners, and improve service delivery in the region, including water and electricity shortages.
The first phase of the project has already begun and the construction of the wall is estimated to have a positive impact on reducing cross-border crime and preventing motor vehicle theft in South Africa. In addition, the construction of the wall will be accompanied by joint police operations to detect crime and prevent criminal gangs from entering the region.
This is yet another effort by the South African government to combat crime and improve security in the region bordering Mozambique. The construction of the wall is expected to help reduce crime in the region and contribute to greater stability and security on the border between the two countries.
