Cops step up border patrols
2008-12-18 17:01
Johannesburg - Police plan on more patrols and more scrutiny for travellers crossing the border of Swaziland and Mozambique, Mpumalanga police said on Thursday.
"We will intensify patrols on the border line, thereby preventing cross-border crimes including illegal crossing to and from neighbouring countries," said Captain Leonard Hlathi.
Hlathi asked the public for patience while their documentation was checked at the border.
Motorists are required to have passports, car registration permits and, if the car has an outstanding loan, authorisation to cross the border from the lending bank.
According to Hlathi, this was a standing agreement between banks, insurance companies and car-owners.
He warned: "Should you ignore the instructions, we will not hesitate to cut your trip short."
The rules were necessary because fraudsters took cars across the border, and then returned, claiming they had been stolen.
- SAPA