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The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the Cross Border Crime
Prevention Summit facilitated by the KZN Department of Community Safety &
Liaison to address criminal activity on the border between South Africa and
Lesotho.

"We applaud this initiative as a step in the right direction. As the IFP we have
always called for such a summit to address criminal activity involving stock
theft, illegal arms deals and trade in drugs such as dagga. This initiative
under the auspices of the MEC for Community Safety & Liaison, Willis Mchunu will
go a long way in stemming the flow of illegal arms across our common borders. It
will also bring hope to those who have lost stock in the past as a result of
animals being stolen and taken across the border. Criminal activity along the
border between South Africa and Lesotho is causing severe disruption to
community life and social stability. Whilst communities constantly complain
about the high levels of criminal activities along our common border, it is
initiatives such as this that will encourage law-abiding citizens to partner
with law enforcement agencies and stop criminals in their tracks", said IFP
Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.

"We urge the MEC and the Department of Community Safety and Liaison to ensure
that the discussions and resolutions of the summit are translated into
practical, ongoing exercises that will curb crime on our borders. Criminals who
commit crime in one country must not be allowed to seek refuge in another
country. These criminals must be made aware that their days are numbered because
we are serious about securing our border communities and that their activities
will not be tolerated. We encourage the law enforcement agencies not to relent
in their resolve to stamp out criminal activities along our porous borders",
concluded Mr Gwala.

Issued by IFP