The South African security forces, assisted by other government departments, are presently conducting a maritime patrol of the Republic of South Africa east coast from Cape Agulhas to Kosi Bay.
The operation began on Tuesday, 6 April 2010 and will be finalised on Friday, 30 April 2010 and the objective is to enforce legislation along the Republic of South Africa coastline, which is of strategic importance to the country, both as an economic area and as a transportation route.
The South African Navy frigate, the SAS Amatola, set sail from Simon's Town on Tuesday afternoon accompanied by the Marine and Coastal Management's fisheries protection vessel, the Lilian Ngoyi.
Various members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), South African Police Service (SAPS), intelligence agencies, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as well the Departments of Home Affairs and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are on board the vessels. This is one of the joint security related exercises being conducted in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Both the SAS Amatola and the Lilian Ngoyi will visit the Port of East London over the weekend, 9 to 11 April 2010. On Saturday, 10 April and Sunday, 11 April 2010, from 10h00 to 16h00, the vessels will be open to the public and members of the community and the news media will be afforded the opportunity to interact with the crew.
Enquiries:
Sally de Beer
Cell: 082 779 8658
Mathebula Moraile
Cell: 083 771 7198
Carol Moses
Cell: 082 829 3917
Issued by: South African Police Service
9 April 2010
