Calls for stronger border control after fugitive’s arrest in Sandton
Calls for stronger border control after fugitive’s arrest in Sandton! The recent re-arrest of notorious Mozambican criminal and prison escapee, Nelson Simiao Massango, has once again highlighted South Africa’s porous borders and cross-border crime challenges.
Massango, who was convicted of murder in 2015 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, was among the 1,500 prisoners who escaped from Maputo Maximum Prison on Christmas Day 2024. At the time, Mozambique was facing political and social unrest following its recent elections.
He was captured this week at a car dealership in Sandton, Gauteng, during an operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Border Policing High-Density Team.
The arrest has sparked renewed concerns about the ease with which criminals cross into South Africa and operate within its borders.
Cross-Border Crime and Vehicle Smuggling
Massango is currently under investigation for multiple cases of car theft in Gauteng. According to reports, he rented 4×4 bakkies in South Africa before smuggling them into Mozambique, where they were illegally sold.
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that authorities are working with INTERPOL and their Mozambican counterparts to trace Massango’s movements and potential criminal network.
“The suspected fugitive of justice was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton. Upon further investigation, he is being linked to several cases of theft of motor vehicles in Gauteng, where he would rent 4×4 bakkies, smuggle them into Mozambique, and sell them.
INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Pretoria is currently engaging with NCB Maputo on the latest developments.”
SA’s Border Security Under Scrutiny
With South Africa recently reporting alarming crime statistics, many citizens are demanding stronger border control to prevent criminals from using the country as a safe haven.
Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee has been vocal about the ongoing issue of cross-border crime, corruption at border posts, and the need for urgent reform.
“The issue of cross-border crime has been a serious problem for years. We know that many individuals enter South Africa illegally, often due to bribery and corruption at border posts.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has pledged to address this, but we continue to see smuggling of illicit goods and undocumented individuals—especially through Zimbabwe and Mozambique.”
Abramjee pointed out that criminal syndicates take advantage of weak border security, allowing them to smuggle vehicles, drugs, and stolen goods across the region.
The Need for a Comprehensive Strategy
To effectively tackle cross-border crime, Abramjee insists that a multi-faceted approach is required. This includes:
- Increased manpower at border posts to conduct thorough inspections.
- Advanced technology such as drones, surveillance cameras, and biometric scanners to monitor border activity.
- Stronger penalties for corrupt officials who accept bribes to let criminals through.
- Better coordination between SAPS, INTERPOL, and neighboring countries’ law enforcement agencies.
- Investment in tracking stolen vehicles to ensure that smuggled cars are recovered before they are sold.
“We must ensure that we close all loopholes that allow criminals to move freely in and out of the country,” Abramjee said.
“This is not just about Massango’s arrest—there are many others like him who use South Africa as a base for their criminal activities. We need effective measures to ensure this doesn’t continue.”
Bridging the Gaps in Border Security
The Border Management Authority (BMA), which was established to improve border security, has vowed to tighten controls and prevent criminals from exploiting weak enforcement.
However, experts argue that unless the root causes of corruption and inadequate policing are addressed, cross-border crime will remain a major challenge.
With high-profile criminals like Massango freely entering and operating in South Africa, authorities face mounting pressure to prove their commitment to securing the country’s borders.
The question remains: Will Massango’s arrest spark real change, or will South Africa continue to be a safe haven for criminals?
