On Friday, 17 September 2010, Chief of the SANDF, General Godfrey Ngwenya lead a delegation in a meeting with Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) leadership where they discussed mechanisms within which the two organisations can cooperate to help curb cross-border crime. The BACSA applauded the decision taken by government to have the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) return to the borders and occupy their rightful responsibility as mandated by the Constitution.
The initiative was borne out of the fact the SANDF has since 12 April 2010 taken over South African borderline security. In support of the above, a partnership has been forged whereby BACSA intends to assist the SANDF with information and communication technology, information gathering and other matters pertaining to crime prevention. A partnership is envisaged between the South African National Defence Force and BACSA where there will be a lot of information sharing between the two organisations.
Areas of concern as far as borderline crime is concerned involve human trafficking, stock theft, vehicle theft and international syndicates trading on other illegal goods including drugs. This partnership seeks to address the escalating criminal elements around the borders that have a direct influence on the operations of BACSA. The meeting also agreed that border security must be intelligence-driven instead of relying on foot patrols only and that is the area where there must be a very strong coordination and partnership.
It also emerged from the deliberations that the communities living along the borders are being exploited by being offered bribes to store stolen vehicles by criminals whilst they do surveillance about the security issues at the border. These are also used to reregister the cars before they are driven across the borders.
This meeting follows on the footsteps of the meeting that took place between the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Lindiwe Sisulu with the AgriSA and African Farmers Union in May this year, where a range of issues were discussed around the safety and security of the farming community alongside the borders and the partnership which will see the SANDF working closely with that community.
The meeting was arranged by the Chief of the Defence Reserve Force Major General Roy Anderson who is also one of the Directors of BASCA and the BASCA delegation was led by the Chairman Mr Mark Lamberty, CEO Graham Wright and Directors Laurie Dippenaar and other officials whilst General Ngwenya was accompanied by Major General Nkabinde, Major General Make, Admiral Schultz and other senior officials.
Since this is only the beginning, follow-up meetings and further discussions will be convened to process the matter forward. Continued discussions are planned which will result in working relations being established between the SANDF and BASCA.
Enquiries:
Siphiwe Dlamini
Cell: 083 645 4294
Source: Department of Defence
