The importance of investing more in innovative technological interventions as force multipliers to enhance the work of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to safeguard South Africa’s borders was highlighted by Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
The remark by the committee came after an update on the implementation of Operation corona, which has the mandate of defending South Africa’s territorial integrity.
Cyril Xaba, the committee’s co-chairman, stated that while the committee is well aware of the major capacity issues negatively affecting the operation, it completely supports the plan to gradually deploy sensors and radars as a force multiplier in the medium term.
Xaba said “The committee urged SANDF senior leadership to work with the National Treasury to find solutions to ensure that this ongoing problem is resolved and that capabilities are made available to deploy soldiers on the ground.”
The committee also emphasised the importance of the SANDF cooperating with relevant government agencies at all levels to find solutions to the border’s infrastructure problems, which include an inadequate fence, patrol roads, and access routes.
Xaba added “A collaborative effort is necessary to remove the impediments that make it difficult to safeguard our borders. Deployed soldiers’ morale should also receive proper attention, as these impacts negatively on operations.”
The committee has also commended the signing and implementation of operational protocols between the Department of Defence and the Border Management Authority to regulate effective cooperation at borderlines.
Elleck Nchabeleng, Committee Chairperson said “The porous nature of our borders requires cooperation by all stakeholders to ensure success. The committee has called for enhanced cooperation within the security cluster to find solutions and ensure efficiencies at the borderline.”
The committee praised the security cluster for its efforts at the border despite a variety of challenges and highlighted the necessity for ongoing development to preserve South Africa’s territorial integrity along its land, air, and marine borders.
