KIMBERLEY - In a joint cross border operation between South Africa and Botswana, authorities from the two countries conducted enhanced and coordinated high density patrols along the border lines and routes in the Kalahari addressing transnational crimes.
The multi-disciplinary team consisting of members from the South African Police Service, the Botswana Police, Border Management Authority (BMA), South African National Defence Force ( SANDF), South African National Parks ( SANPARKS) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) executed the operation from Thursday, 12 March 2026 to Sunday, 15 March 2026 in the Kalahari region.
Actions and police activities during the operation included compliance inspections, farm visits and vehicle check points where 291 vehicles and 1117 individuals were stopped and searched.
These actions resulted in the issuing of fines amounting to R7 500-00 to motorists who failed to comply with the Road Traffic Act and the arrest of five undocumented persons that are suspected to be in the country illegally.
During foot and vehicle patrols along the border line between Twee Rivieren and Gemsbok Port of Entry, the multi-disciplinary team repaired the fence in an attempt to curb the illegal movement of people across the two countries.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended the collaborative approach between the law enforcement agencies in addressing transnational crimes and other related crimes along the borders of both countries.