Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison’s Traffic Intervention Unit officers arrested two Mozambican nationals this morning (March 13) at about 3:35 on the N4 between Mbombela and Malalane, in the vicinity of the Gorge. The vehicle was  travelling at a speed of 142 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. It was en route from Mozambique to Gauteng.

After managing to stop the speeding vehicle, the officers also discovered a consignment of  counterfeit sneakers. The driver of the vehicle, a 36-year old man, was arrested along with his female passenger, who failed to produce valid travel documents.

Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Pat Ngomane, has commended the officers for their swift action. He said this incident is indicative of the fact that some motorists think they can do as they please on the country’s roads.

The MEC also expressed his concern about the way in which the two occupants had managed to cross the Lebombo Border Post with the illegal goods and without the necessary documents, without being nabbed.

“These are the type of acts that continue to cripple the economy of the country and undermine the integrity of our Ports of Entry. These two have completely broken the law; justice must take its course so as to send a warning to others that our country is not a banana republic,” he said.

He added that speeding will not be tolerated as many lives are lost annually, although government is spending a lot of money on road-safety promotion.

The two suspects are currently being detained at the Nelspruit Police Station and will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate Court soon on charges of speeding and the possession of counterfeit goods.

Submitted by: Zandile Mandlazi
Subeditor: Lynette Brink