Radebe promises to upscale border security

South Africa will continue to improve security at the country’s borders with neighbouring countries in a bid to combat cross-border crime, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said last week. The deployment of the defence force has led to the confiscation of contraband to the value of R3 105 959.70 since the beginning of April 2012, including cigarettes and liquor. “To date, a total of 11 companies of the South African National Defence Force has been deployed along South African borders with neighbouring countries since the first deployment in April 2010,” Radebe said last week. According to BuaNews, the minister said SANDF presence along the country’s borders would continue to be phased in over time. “There are 11 companies deployed on the Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique and Lesotho borders. The deployment has taken place along the northern borders, and in the Free State,” he said.