MOOI RIVER, KWAZULU-NATAL — Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has commended the outcomes of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary compliance operation conducted at Mooi River Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the successful enforcement of immigration, labor, and road transport laws.
Concluding the joint law enforcement effort, Hlengwa praised the coordinated collaboration between various government departments and security agencies. He noted that the operation effectively demonstrated the state’s authority and its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law. According to the Minister, the pooling and sharing of resources across the government ecosystem are vital for strengthening compliance, adding that ongoing policy work in this area is steadily gaining traction.
The multi-agency task force uncovered severe road safety compromises and alarming human trafficking risks during the operation. Hlengwa highlighted the dangerous practice of using cargo vehicles not intended for passenger transport to commute people. In several instances, up to 12 people, including children, were found crammed into the cabin of a truck alongside cargo. He warned that this severe overloading poses a critical risk to the occupants and other road users.
Furthermore, the Minister raised serious concerns regarding human trafficking. He noted that some of the transported individuals were entirely unaware of their destinations, a situation that presents a severe risk to the state, particularly for vulnerable children.
The operation also tested the evasion tactics of non-compliant drivers. When the main roadblock was established on the N3 highway, several suspects attempted to bypass the checkpoint by decanting onto secondary routes. However, Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers were already deployed in these areas to intercept them. Hlengwa observed that this evasion tactic is typical, noting that those who flee are generally the individuals in direct violation of the law. During the operation, police were actively pursuing and apprehending suspects attempting to escape the dragnet.
Addressing the immediate aftermath of the bust, Hlengwa confirmed that the women and children rescued from the unauthorized vehicles were relocated to places of safety, with the Department of Home Affairs taking over their processing.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transport is impounding the non-compliant vehicles and parking them in a place of safety while the drivers are processed. Hlengwa explained that vehicle owners and the operators who issued the permits are being informed and will face thorough investigations. Many of the vehicles were found to be in breach of their operating permits, including cross-border permit violations and the unauthorized transport of goods and passengers outside the parameters of the law.
Looking ahead, Hlengwa stressed the necessity of continued multi-agency collaboration and public education to maintain compliance and protect citizens. He issued a stern warning to exploitative employers who utilize illegal transport and labor practices, urging them to adhere to legal standards.
“Do the right thing,” Hlengwa advised, cautioning that the hand of the law will eventually catch up to those who break it.
