KZN town intercepts car smugglers
2011-09-23 11:43
BACK DOOR: Cars stolen in South Africa are reportedly increasingly making their way to Mozambique, but one small KZN town is taking a stand.
Smuggling cars stolen in South Africa to Mozambique through rural northern kwaZulu-Natal towns is increasing again, according to a provincial leader. One small town, however, is saying 'No!'
Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe told Sapa: "Smuggling cars (from South Africa) to Mozambique has begun and the (Kosi Bay) community is trying to put a stop to it."
Kosi Bay townsfolk, he said, had identified and handed over to the police four people suspected of being behind the criminal trade in luxury cars which had declined since the peak years from 2000 and 2005 when most of the vehicles were stolen in Gauteng, Durban, Empangeni and Kosi Bay.
The syndicate was uncovered when a South African police unit was deployed in Mozambique and Kosi Bay.
NOT IN MY BACKYARD
Tembe said locals identified Kosi Bay people they suspected of being behind the thefts and smuggling.
"This was after a number of cars were stolen and allegedly taken to Mozambique. There was also talk of a list of cars which were going to be stolen," Tembe added.
Kosi Bay residents stopped buying new cars between 2000 and 2005 because they feared they would be stolen, Tembe said.
"When the theft subsided, people started buying again. That is why they are prepared to fight them (the criminals). They want to protect their property."
A tractor belonging to the local municipality had also been stolen and apparently smuggled into Mozambique.
Tembe said: "We are happy that the police leadership is taking this matter seriously. I phoned the provincial commissioner (Mamunye Ngobeni) and asked her to intervene and she responded positively."
The police were not available to comment.
