|
Joint Communiqué Following a
Meeting of the South African Inter-Ministerial Security
Committee and the Lesotho Government, Sandton, 29 August
2002
A South African delegation of the inter - ministerial
security committee met with the Lesotho government in
Sandton today in a preparatory meeting aimed at finalising
arrangements for a full meeting of ministers responsible
for security issues from both countries scheduled for
September this year.
Lesotho’s Home Affairs Minister Mr Thomas Thabane
decried the rampant cross border crime involving stock
theft, illegal gun running, and drug smuggling across
the borders of the two countries. He called on both
governments to review the provision of defence force
border patrols in order to complement the police forces
that are facing organised crime syndicates on both sides
of the borders.
Mr Thabane pointed out that his government was closing
loopholes in their regulations, which are being used
by foreign nationals to gain access to South Africa
by obtaining Lesotho residents permits fraudulently.
He also stressed the need to create a user friendly
atmosphere at the borders in order to improve border
management.
South African Home Affairs Minister Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi
emphasised the urgency o f resuming bilateral talks
between officials of his department and their Lesotho
counterparts in order to deal with issues raised, and
to set up objectives for the upcoming ministerial meeting.
South African Minister of Defence Mr Mosiuoa Lekota
called for a review of some of the current agreements
in order to empower officials to be able to provide
effective and immediate intervention in crime prevention
along our borders.
In his closing remarks the South African Correctional
Services Minister Mr Ben Skosana emphasized the need
to include intelligence in dealing with matters of organised
crime, aided and abetted by officials and the need to
introduce cattle tracking along the borders of both
countries.
Enquiries
Leslie Mashokwe
Head of Communications
Department of Home Affairs
Cell 082 809 6547
29 August 2002
|
