Question No. 10
Ms S T Ndabeni (ANC) to ask the Deputy President: Whether the Government has strengthened its cooperation with the neighbouring countries on security and border control; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
In April 2009, Cabinet took a decision to return the responsibility of border security to the South African National Defence Force. This therefore makes Defence the principal Department on border security.
Very strong defence cooperation exists with all our SADC neighbors with whom we share a border. These are underpinned by a SADC Cooperation Agreement. In addition South Africa has signed a memorandum of understanding with all our neighboring countries.
For each of our neighboring countries we have a Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security. These ensure maximum cooperation from state to state and at the levels of affected Departments like:
- Home Affairs
- State Security
- South African Revenue Service
- Justice
- Correctional Services
The commissions meet annually to review cooperation and conduct joint operations to combat crime and exchange information.
There are quarterly border forums with all our neighbouring countries and from time to time they deal with matters that may affect our common border security.
Even though this level of cooperation has not been in existence for long it has yielded very good results. The World Cup was not only protected by South Africa but all our neighbouring countries stepped up security at their own borders to ensure a secure World Cup.
I thank you.
