NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
QUESTION 672.
Mr W F Faber (DA-NC) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military
Veterans:
(1) Whether her department is responsible for the maintenance of
South Africaâs border barriers and fences; if not, which (a)
department and/or (b) entity carries this responsibility; if so,
(2) Whether her department has appointed a contractor which is
responsible for the maintenance of border barriers and fences;
if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(3) whether her department has launched an investigation into the
alleged reports that there is a 2 km stretch of fence that is
missing on the South African border close to Komatipoort; if
not, why not; if so, (a) what steps have been taken to address
this matter and (b) what are the further relevant details?
CW840E
RESPONSE
1. The Department is responsible for the maintenance of the borderline
fencing along the RSA/Zimbabwe and RSA/Mozambique borders. There
are also other stakeholders involved in the border fencing
including the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works and
Environmental Affairs.
2. No contractor has been appointed. The Engineer Troops Formation has
two groups that are deployed along the borders for the purpose of
emergency repairs.
3. There is a gap of approximately 2 km along the border near
Komatipoort. This matter is receiving attention of both the SAPS
and SANDF.