WITH the upsurge of crime in the interior, I strongly feel that the check points need to be monitored more professionally and seriously. I usually visit the interior almost twice monthly.

My experience is that some of the officers that are placed at one particular check point wait patiently to beg for money or gold from miners who pass this particular check point.

I witnessed one day when a jeep loaded with Brazilian nationals arrived at the check point and one officer remarked: “You know, I have to get these fellas to buy some beers”. This has been a regular activity and behaviour of some personnel who are supposed to overlook our security in the interior.

Proper identification, such as identification cards, should be on everyone entering the interior so as to identify persons travelling.

I can go on to list the ills at the check points. So all checkpoint bosses need to be upgraded and properly monitored.

All for information and guidance for better crime fighting.