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"The decision to once again make use of the Defence Force for border control is welcomed by the Freedom Front Plus. It was a mistake of the government to withdraw the Defence Force, but the mistake is now being rectified. The deployment of soldiers on the border will take place in four phases with priority being given to the northern border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The reserve forces will also be made use of for patrols. With the uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants to South Africa from the north, this is a step in the right direction," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP) chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus says.

"The Defence Force is capable to undertake border control more cheaply and more effectively than the Police. Defence Force Members are specifically trained for patrol work, territorial protection and working 24 hours. Police members do not receive this specialist training and demand overtime payment. Troops who are not sent on peace keeping operations in Africa will now be utilized more effectively on our own borders. According to the Minister of Police there were 651 police members deployed on the borders of the country. (See Parliamentary answer below) Although 540 soldiers will be deployed according to the Defence Force, the difference in training requires less soldiers who could do the same work," Groenewald said.

PIETER GROENEWALD (MP)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY - FOR WRITTEN REPLY - QUESTION NO 618

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 MARCH 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 11/2008)

Date reply submitted: 22 April 2008

Mr PJ Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister for Safety and Security:

(1) How many members of the SA Police Service are available for border patrol duties in respect of (a) Zimbabwe, (b) Mozambique, (c) Lesotho and (d) Swaziland;

(2) whether the SAPS, in the light of the Auditor‑General's report on border security, does enough towards border security; if not, (a) why not and (b) what will he do about it; if so, how did he arrive at this conclusion?
NW1308E
REPLY:

(1) The SA Police Service has deployed the following number of members for border patrols:

(a) Zimbabwe border: 77 members who are jointly deployed with the SA National Defence Force,

(b) Mozambique border: 221 members,

(c) Lesotho border: 207 members, and

(d) Swaziland border: 146 members.

(2) In terms of border security, the SA Police Service is deploying members along the land borders in accordance with the approved Exit/Entry Strategy.

The SA Police Service established permanent sea border control units at Richards Bay and Simon's Town. Members are also deployed at Alexander Bay to execute an intervention operation along the West Coast, from Alexander Bay to Green River Mouth.

In terms of air border control, all provinces have trained members who are performing the function.

The SA Police Service developed a Border Security Strategy and is successfully executing this strategy.

The following statistics, clearly indicate the successes of the SA Police Service's efforts to police the South African borders:

ARRESTS
Crime Number of arrests
Undocumented persons 62 625
Possession of dagga 105
Dealing in drugs 522
Human‑trafficking 19
Stock theft 45
Theft of motor vehicle 150
Possession of unlicenced firearms 112
Murder 20
Armed robbery 30
House‑breaking and theft 27
Illegal possession of living marine resources 19



CONFISCATIONS
ITEMS VALUE
Dagga 116 098kg R116 098 200
Stock 11 057 R27 642 500
Vehicles 617 R69 663 000
Illegal goods R4 952 880
Firearms 255 R631 600
Ammunition 2 675 R7 963
Marine living resources (abalone and crayfish) R73 760
TOTAL R219 069 903


REPLY TO QUESTION 618 APPROVED BY MINISTER