Picture: The police conducting cross-border operations/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
2 March 2026- The police in the Northern Cape in collaboration with their Namibian counterparts, conducted joint cross-border operations between South Africa and Namibia from 26 February to 1 March 2026. The police said several external stakeholders from the South African side participated in the operations, including Customs DDU, Customs/SARS, Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation and South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the Border Management Authority and Traffic Department were also part of the operations. Litabe said the coordinated operations included patrols along the borderline in both countries, the establishment of vehicle control points, searches of vehicles and persons, farm visits, as well as the inspection and verification of travel and other required documentation of persons entering and departing both countries.
Litabe said as a result of these operations, four men were arrested in Vioolsdrift for being illegally present in South Africa.
“In addition, nine fines were issued for contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act, and one warrant of arrest was executed, which resulted in the payment of an outstanding traffic-related fine.
“The joint teams also confiscated illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of R90 000. Furthermore, four individuals were declared undesirable for overstaying in South Africa,” he said.
Upon being informed of the outcomes of the operations, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended all members and stakeholders involved for their dedication and hard work in ensuring border security and law enforcement.
The Guardian 