The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape, in collaboration with the Botswana Police Service and various law enforcement and security stakeholders, is intensifying efforts to combat transnational and cross-border criminal activities through a joint cross-border operation conducted along the RSA/Botswana border from 13 to 16 September 2026.
The operation is aimed at strengthening coordinated law enforcement interventions along the border and disrupting criminal activities, including #StockTheft, the movement of stolen vehicles across the border, illicit firearms and ammunition, drug-related offences, and the movement of undocumented persons.
The multi-disciplinary operation brought together SAPS provincial and district components, including Provincial Operational Response Services (ORS), Border Policing, Public Order Policing (POC), Crime Intelligence, Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU), Provincial Crime Intelligence, #VisiblePolicing (VISPOL), Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, as well as members from affected police stations.
The operation was further supported by external stakeholders, including the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Border Management Authority (BMA), South African National Parks (SANParks) and South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs.
During operational activities conducted in the Van Zylsrus, Witdraai and Severn policing areas, law enforcement officials recorded several successes.
Two male suspects were arrested for dealing in dagga in Witdraai and Severn, respectively.
Dagga with a combined estimated street value of approximately R5 400-00 was seized, as well as cash believed to be the proceeds of illicit drug sales.
A total of eight traffic fines amounting to R4 100 were issued for various traffic violations.
Three undocumented persons were detained for contraventions of immigration legislation, including failure to produce valid passports or required documentation when requested by law enforcement officials.
As part of the operation, four vehicle checkpoints were conducted, during which 410 vehicles were stopped and searched and 839 persons were searched.
In addition, four border patrols were conducted to enhance police visibility and detect illegal activities along the borderline.
During patrol activities along the borderline from the Gemsbok Port of Entry towards the Middelputs Port of Entry, law enforcement officials identified damage to sections of the border fence.
The fence had been inspected by BMA officials prior to the operation and had reportedly been repaired.
However, during the subsequent patrol, officials observed that the fence had again been tampered with, with wires untied and broken between identified fence points.
Clear and visible truck tracks were also observed crossing from Botswana into South Africa and vice versa.
The information was escalated to the Botswana Police Service for further investigation, as the vehicle and persons allegedly involved are believed to be Botswana nationals.
Further damage to the border fence was identified in areas concealed from the main road.
The circumstances surrounding the damage are being investigated, with suspected livestock smuggling among the possibilities being considered, particularly in view of current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions affecting the movement, slaughtering and trade of livestock in Botswana.
The SAPS and its law enforcement partners will continue to monitor and patrol vulnerable sections of the borderline to prevent the illegal movement of people, livestock, vehicles and other illicit commodities across the border.
As part of the integrated crime-prevention approach, law enforcement officials also conducted compliance inspections at various establishments and agricultural properties.
Inspections were conducted at 5 (five) tuckshops, 8 (eight) liquor stores, 9 (nine) farms, 3 (three) taverns and 1 (one) shebeen.
#PartnershipPolicing #fightingcrime #CrossBorderCrime #PoliceVisibility