NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION NUMBER 910
Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military
Veterans:
(1) Whether any air defence identification zones have been declared in
(a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; if so, (i) what procedures are in
place to ensure that such declarations are accurate and (ii) in each
case, (aa) what does the declaration entail, (bb) where is it located,
(cc) what are the reasons for making the declaration, (dd) what were
the cost involved and (ee) what are the further relevant details;
(2) whether any external entities have been consulted in each case; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1026E
REPLY
(1) Yes, the SANDF provides focussed support to the RSA government,
within the prescripts of the legal framework outlined by legislation
and policy, which contributes to the safe and secure hosting of major
events and operations. From 2008, the SANDF, and to a greater extent
the SAAF has been involved in various exercises /operations involving
the concept of Air Space Security. The main focus from 2008 to 2010
was to ensure airspace security and tactical freedom in preparation
for the FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament from April 2010 to July 2010.
To achieve these objectives and facilitate this process, Air Defence
Identification Zones (ADIZ) had to be declared.
(a), (b), (c)
The following ADIZ were declared from 2008-2010 for the FIFA FIFA
Soccer World Cup tournament:
Exercise Shield 1 Cape Town March 2008
Exercise Shield 2 Bloemfontein July 2008
Exercise Shield3 Gauteng 16 March -19 March 2009
Exercise Shield4 Nelspruit 18 - 22 August 2009
Exercise Shield5 Durban 27 - 31 October 2009
Exercise Shield6 National Exercise 18 - 22 February 2010
Confederations Cup 13 - 28 June 2009
SWC 2010Â Â Â Â 10 - 11 July 2010
(i) Procedures that were implemented and adopted were as a result of
cooperation from all stakeholders and role players. The concept
entails the employment of multi-rolled military capabilities
integrated with other departments or acting in concert ito
national/provincial plans in achievement of multiple objectives,
namely:
The rendering of safety and security support.
The ability to respond to crises in the domains of disaster
aid and relief.
The conduct of search and rescue missions in the designated
S&R areas ito of RSA legislation and applicable agreements.
The rendering of specialist support to government
departments not directly related to safety and security
support.
(aa) In each case the declaration entailed the declaration of
a 50 nm ADIZ around the key venues (bb) - soccer stadiums.
It included a 5nm no fly zone around each key venue.
(cc) The reasons for making the declaration was in order
to be able to screen and identify all aircrew and aircraft
transiting the declared airspace. The purpose for the
screening and identification was to ensure maximum control
over and knowledge of aircraft inside this ADIZ, thereby
ensuring tactical freedom to the security forces.
(dd) There were no costs involved in terms of
governmental services.
(ee) During the course of these exercises and/or actual
Soccer World Cup matches, any aircraft observed flying
without a flight plan or deviating from the filed flight
plan, or negotiated route, may be subjected to interception
as per ICAO publication and may be subject to prosecution.
(2) To ensure that such ADIZ declarations are accurate and legally
mandated, integrated strategic planning takes place at national level
and all airspace requirements and restrictions are implemented in
consultations with major stakeholders such as Minister of Transport,
CAA, ATNS and CAMU, SAPS other military role players and external
entities.
To date, the SANDF remains committed and is continually involved in
operations to supply air space security. This instruction is currently
being carried out in terms of Cabinet Memorandum 18 of 2009 dated 16
October 2009, where the SANDF was instructed to prepare to employ forces in
the land, air and maritime domains to effect national border control. This
instruction was issued in congruence with the responsibility of the SANDF
to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the RSA, its
national interests and its people in accordance with the Constitution and
the principles of International Law regulating the use of force.