The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds law enforcement’s massive R1 billion drug seizure at Beitbridge Border Post.  This is a decisive blow against organised crime syndicates in the Southern African region.  It is a welcome boost to the morale of a society that has grown exasperated by South Africa’s unacceptably high rates of crime.  It builds upon the positive decreases in various serious crimes highlighted in the latest crime statistics released last week, including murder.

The success of this interagency cooperation by the Border Management Authority (BMA), Home Affairs, the Hawks and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are testimony to the need to strengthen collaboration within government.  The invaluable role played by scanners at border posts were confirmed.  This victory is evidence of the critical role that the state can and must play in society and the dangers of implementing austerity budget cuts that cripple state capacity.

If we are to win the war against crime, in particular, often very sophisticated and well-resourced global syndicates, then we must invest in the capacity of the BMA, Home Affairs, SAPS, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority.  They require scanners at all ports of entry, the appointment of competent management, the removal of corrupt and criminal elements, the filling of frontline vacancies and the hiring of critical skills, and state of the art infrastructure and resources, from working vehicles to sophisticated forensics and biometric technology.  There are no short cuts to winning this existential struggle against crime.

If we are to attract the domestic and international investment necessary to boost economic growth to the 3% plus necessary to tackle our staggering 43.7% unemployment rate, then we must ramp up our fight against crime.

We must equally invest in our law enforcement officers and provide them with a living wage, continuously enhance their skills and training, and provide them with the necessary tools of trade and protection.  Our public servants are all too often unfairly vilified.  Today those men and women at Beitbridge have made the nation proud.  Their dedication has saved the lives of countless young people who may otherwise have fallen victim to the scourge of drug abuse. 

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za