Sars already planning to equip specialised Border Control Unit

I read with interest the article "Submit you comments now on amendments to key draft bills" (FTW August 22, 2008). I am particularly interested in the comments of Riaan de Lange "almost grant customs a para-military status" and that of Andrew Robinson with regards the customs patrol boat. Sars published a Strategic Plan 2007/08-2010 some time ago. In this plan they highlighted their focus on a number of areas but in particular Compliance and Customs – Trade Facilitation and Border Control. As part of their modernisation agenda they listed ‘Strengthen Border Control’ which included acting as ‘Lead Agency’ and providing ‘Security at Ports of Entry’. Cabinet has in fact asked Sars to be the Lead Agency at borders – which includes all borders. As part of that role Customs anticipated that they would have to build their capacity to conduct border and traderelated law enforcement activities which include front line admissibility decision support, interdiction of illicit cargo and persons, commercial fraud detection and revenue collection. They have further subdivided these three activities into sub-programmes which are Customs Modernisation, Lead Agency and 2010 FIFA. The Lead Agency role is of particular pertinence to the comments of De Lange and Robinson. Sars is chairing the Border Control Operation and Co-ordination Committee (BCOCC). This role includes the co-ordination of activities and integrating risk profiling between agencies at ports of entry to ensure a streamlined movement of goods and people, while maintaining the integrity of border security. Customs has already commenced the necessary organisational and resource planning to equip a specialised Border Control Unit to strengthen border control and to provide security at the ports of entry as anticipated in their strategic plan. Last year Customs published a request to tender for the training of its Border Control Unit. At the meeting it was explained in detail that Customs intended to operate a Border Control Unit in a paramilitary fashion. The members of this unit were to receive training to equip themselves as paramilitary Customs officials. The CBU was issued with a brown uniform, similar to that of the SANDF and was trained appropriately. Traditionally, from a Customs perspective, officials have been present at land borders which were actively managed but sea borders were not really managed. This is about to change. Hester Hopkins, national manager, Customs@Wylie.