DA concerned about border security

2010-02-21 21:51

Johannesburg - Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu should reject the "hopelessly inadequate" proposal for the defence force to take over the border security function, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Sunday.

"If the proposal is implemented, there may be fewer members of security services patrolling our borders," said party spokesperson David Maynier.

He said South African borders could be less secured, not more, in the 2010/2011 financial year if the proposal is implemented.

"This raises serious doubts about the proper protection of our borders during the FIFA World Cup tournament," said Maynier.

A decision was taken by Cabinet last year that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) would take over responsibility for border security from the SA Police Service.

Last week the portfolio committee on defence received a briefing by members of the SANDF on "Operation Corona", the proposal to redeploy the military on the country's  landward borders in phases between 2010 and 2014, Maynier said.

"If the proposal is approved, then from April 1 the defence force will begin deploying about 540 soldiers on the South Africa/Zimbabwe and South Africa/Mozambique borders."

"These numbers are hopelessly inadequate to secure the landward borders of South Africa," said Maynier.

Not protected

He said according to the proposal, the defence force would spend only R135m this year on borderline security, while police spent R225m in 2009.

"Also, the South Africa/Namibia, South Africa/Botswana and South Africa/Lesotho borders will not be protected. This is clearly a step backwards and a recipe for less security on our borders in 2010," he said.

There would be about 1 350 fewer soldiers patrolling the borders in 2010 than the defence force would like to have patrolling in 2014.

"There will be approximately 3 240 less soldiers patrolling our borders in 2010 than there were in 1994," Maynier said.

- SAPA