Campaign launched to secure SA borders

Operation Pyramid to focus on law-enforcement operations

ACAMPAIGN, dubbed Operation Pyramid, was launched to improve co-ordination and cooperation between government and civil society “to better secure” South Africa’s borders, where terrorism, transnational organised crime and human trafficking remain challenges, according to yesterday’s security ministers’ briefing.

“In today’s terms there is not a country in the world that is not vulnerable when it comes to issues of terrorism,” said Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, adding human and drug trafficking were also concerns.

“We need to ensure we have tighter mechanisms (of border management and control) so that, amongst other things, we can embark on pro-active measures.”

It emerged the South African National Defence Force aimed to deploy additional members to border control, although cost constraints meant numbers would be lower than originally planned.

However, between June to September, 4 493 illegal foreigners and 70 criminals were arrested at various borders, according to the statement, while contraband worth

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2015 R11.9 million was seized, as well as nine hand weapons, 19 stolen vehicles and 110 cattle.

The government’s Operation Pyramid focuses on law enforcement, intelligencedriven operations, but also improving infrastructure and technology solutions.

It comes as Operation Fiela, started in the wake of the xenophobic violence earlier this year, was set to continue as a general anticrime initiative with stop and search operations of persons, cars and premises.

Next year, Parliament will consider the Border Management Agency Bill which aims to establish a single authority to control and manage all ports of entry to South Africa.

WE NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE TIGHTER MECHANISMS (OF BORDER MANAGEMENT) SO WE CAN EMBARK ON PRO-ACTIVE MEASURES