An investigation into the illegal movement of goods from seaports-of-entry : a case study at Durban harbour

Abstract

Seaports, or harbours, play a vital role in the logistical supply chain, since they handle the largest volumes of containerised cargo and bulk goods that enter any country. Over the decades, globalisation and free trade have resulted in increased movement of cargo and people through the sea ports. The security functions in all categories of the ports are of paramount importance, seeing that border posts or ports are the main entry and exit points of any country. The marine transport system is responsible for 95-98 per cent of South Africa’s imports and exports. South Africa’s maritime sector, and in particular its eight commercial ports-of-entry, play a major role in the South African economy, as well as those of South Africa’s neighbouring landlocked countries. As a result of the volume of cargo containers passing through these ports, it is often challenging to detect or even examine all of the cargo that enters or leaves the port. A 2007 report titled ‘The collective approach to Border Control’ states that the movement of illegal goods crossing South African borders is in the amount of 20 billion Rand per year. The illegal movement of goods represents an enormous loss to South Africa in terms of revenue, as well as customs and excise duties, and negatively impacts on the confidence of our international investors. One of South Africa’s busiest seaports-of-entry is the Durban harbour. This study sought to investigate the challenges presented by the illegal movement of goods through Durban harbour. The research sought to establish how the goods were being moved illegally through the Durban harbour area. The focus is on the security risk control measures that should control the illegal movement of goods from the Durban Harbour. The objectives of this study were: to examine the existing security risk control measures at the Durban harbour; to assess the risks associated with the illegal movement of goods at the Durban harbour; and to identify the security risk control measures required to prevent the illegal

movement of goods at the Durban harbour.

The study made use of the qualitative research approach to research the unlawful transfer of goods entering through seaports. Three methods of data collection were used. These were a documentary study of police case dockets, an onsite security audit of the Durban harbour, and face-to-face interviews between the researcher and the interviewees in accordance with an interview schedule. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the SAPS Border Police, customs officials and security officials who were stationed at the Durban harbour. Thirty (30) sample respondents were individually interviewed by the interviewer. An analysis of fifty (50) police dockets which were registered on the SAPS crime administration system for ‘Theft and Contraband Smuggling’ were also analysed, where the scene-of-crime was the Durban harbour. In addition, an onsite evaluation of the current security measures at the Durban harbour was conducted. All of the data collected was analysed using a data-spiral method, which generated themes and categories. The findings established that there are shortcomings or gaps within the existing security measures for the prevention of, and safeguarding the harbour as a port against, criminal risks or security weaknesses. Accordingly, the researcher has recommended certain measures that should assist in eliminating or reducing the associated criminal risks affecting the harbour.