PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says he is confident that South Africa will be able to address cross-border crimes across all ports of entry by implementing a range of complimentary measures.
The President said this when he fielded oral questions at the National Council of Provinces in Parliament on Thursday.
“Through the application of a range of complimentary measures, I am certain that we will be able to address issues of illegal migration, drug and human trafficking and other cross border crimes. These measures are all meant to ensure that indeed, we create a much safer environment for the people of South Africa,” he said.
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The President said while a Border Management Authority Bill has been introduced in Parliament with an aim of establishing an Authority that will manage all the security challenges at SA’s ports of entry, among others, a border policing strategy is being implemented to ensure effective and efficient combating of transnational crimes and other crimes around the border environment.
In addition to the police and the Department of Home Affairs, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) plays a critical role at various ports of entry Ramaphosa said.
Through the National Security Strategy, the SANDF has developed a long-term strategic view to focus on the specific threats to the sovereignty of the Republic and the authority of the state.
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As part of this strategy, the President said, 15 army sub-units have been deployed for border safeguarding.
“More, however, still needs to be done in this regard. The deployment of personnel needs to be augmented with resources such as high-tech equipment to cover such an extensive borderline – be it on land, sea or air. We also continue to sustain long-range maritime and air patrols, particularly in the Mozambique channel, and extend such patrols to the West Coast,” he said.
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