NORTHERN CAPE – A joint cross-border operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Botswana Police Service and several law enforcement agencies has intensified efforts to combat transnational crime along the RSA/Botswana border.

The operation, conducted from 13 to 16 September, focused on strengthening coordinated law enforcement interventions and disrupting criminal activities, including stock theft, the movement of stolen vehicles, illicit firearms and ammunition, drug-related offences and the movement of undocumented persons.

The operation was led by SAPS in the Northern Cape in collaboration with the Botswana Police Service and various security stakeholders.

Arrests and seizures recorded

Operational activities were conducted in the Van Zylsrus, Witdraai and Severn policing areas, where officials recorded several successes.

Two men were arrested for allegedly dealing in dagga in Witdraai and Severn respectively. Dagga with an estimated combined street value of approximately R5,400 was seized, along with cash believed to be the proceeds of illicit drug sales.

Law enforcement officials also:

• Issued eight traffic fines totaling R4 100.
• Detained three undocumented persons for alleged contraventions of immigration legislation, including failure to produce valid passports or required documentation.
• Conducted four vehicle checkpoints.
• Stopped and searched 410 vehicles.
• Searched 839 people.
• Conducted four border patrols to improve police visibility and detect illegal activities.

Border fence damage under investigation

During patrols between the Gemsbok Port of Entry and Middelputs Port of Entry, officials identified damage to sections of the border fence.

Although the Border Management Authority (BMA) had reportedly inspected and repaired the fence before the operation, subsequent patrols found that sections had allegedly been tampered with again. Wires were found untied and broken between identified fence points.

Officials also observed clear truck tracks crossing between Botswana and South Africa.

The information was referred to the Botswana Police Service for further investigation, as the vehicle and individuals allegedly involved are believed to be Botswana nationals.

Further damage was identified in areas concealed from the main road. The circumstances are being investigated, with possible livestock smuggling among the lines of inquiry.

The investigation comes amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions in Botswana, which affect the movement, slaughtering and trade of livestock.

Multi-agency approach to border crime

The operation brought together SAPS provincial and district components, including:

• Provincial Operational Response Services (ORS)
• Border Policing
• Public Order Policing (POP)
• Crime Intelligence
• Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU)
• Visible Policing (VISPOL)
• Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit
• Members from affected police stations

External support was provided by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Border Management Authority (BMA), South African National Parks (SANParks) and South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs.

Compliance inspections conducted

As part of the integrated crime-prevention strategy, officials also conducted compliance inspections at various businesses and agricultural properties.

The inspections covered:

• 5 tuckshops
• 8 liquor stores
• 9 farms
• 3 taverns
• 1 shebeen

SAPS and its law enforcement partners said they would continue monitoring and patrolling vulnerable sections of the border to prevent the illegal movement of people, livestock, vehicles and other illicit commodities.

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