Defence Force operations yield results

Briefing the media on Wednesday, Chief Joint Operations Officer Lieutenant General Derrick Mgwebi said the SANDF would strive to do more to protect the country and its people.

In the 2012/13 financial year, the SANDF's Operation Corona has arrested 371 criminals, confiscated over R13 million in contraband and recovered 64 stolen vehicles at the country's borders.

"The SANDF plays a very important role in protecting our borders," said Mgwebi.

Mgwebi said the SANDF has also been successful in diffusing tensions in other countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The external deployment of the SANDF members is in accordance with the SANDF's military strategic objectives to promote peace and stability in the region and in the continent.

The SANDF deploys forces outside the country for peacekeeping missions following a request from the United Nations and African Union.

Currently, some SANDF members are deployed in Sudan and Mozambique.

Some members of the SANDF, working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, have been deployed at the Kruger National Park to protect rhinos against poachers.

According to Mgwebi, in the first quarter of the financial year, its Operation Rhino had nabbed seven suspected poachers, while 20 were arrested in the second quarter.

Mgwebi also expressed concern over the increase in cases of livestock theft at the country's borders.