15 Nov 2022

The tripartite law enforcement operation between Botswana, Namibia and South Africa has been hailed as a great achievement for the three countries.

Addressing delegates to the 11th operation which commenced in Rustenburg, South Africa Monday, Mr Segodi Mogotsi said it was a milestone.

“We are doing this in fulfillment of our MoU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol that speaks of joint law enforcement and regional integration,” said the South African director of regional corridors.

Aimed at harmonising legislation, policies and processes to improve efficiencies along the Trans Kalahari Corridor which spans 1 900 kilometers across the three countries, the operation is scheduled to take five days.

Mr Mogotsi said the corridor linked the region to other trade corridors adding that trade volumes across the SADC region had already increased.

He said the corridor connected the three states not only on trade, but also in building social relations, culture and tourism.

Dr Cedric Limbo from Namibia commended the three countries for the initiative.

He said it was the first step in eliminating non-tariff barriers and harmonising procedures.

Dr Limbo called on SADC countries to work together   towards  establishing one-stop border posts in order to reduce delays.

He urged all stakeholders to identify challenges and to come up with harmonisation strategies emphasising that compatibility of legislation, policies and procedures would negate any impediments.

Dr Limbo also stressed the importance of enforcing the law in order to ensure compliance in the corridor as well as safety and security.

For his part, Botswana Police Service assistant commissioner, Mr Omphemetse Mashiqa said the exercise brought together law enforcement officers from the three countries to address transport, trade and other issues that promoted effective and efficient transportation along the corridor.

Giving an update,  the corridor executive director, Mr Leslie Mpofu said the three countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve efficiencies along the corridor in order to facilitate trade and promote integration.

He said some resolutions had been adopted while others, such as on operating standards, alcohol limits,  introduction of dangerous goods legislation and establishment of the corresponding inspectorate, were at implementation stage.

Mr Mpofu said the three countries had made progress in lowering trade tariffs and dismantling the quota system. He noted that worldwide distribution, sourcing cycles, just-in-time and sequence logistics services as well as the emergence of e-business had pressurised governments to ensure efficient, fast and reliable border crossing and clearance procedures.

Mr Mpofu said export oriented economies depended on efficient import processing and that there was need for a holistic approach for efficient management of end-to-end trade transactions.

He said lack of transparency about rules and regulations, redundant and lengthy clearance processes and multiple document requirements increased costs and delayed trade.

“These obstacles pose greater barriers to trade than tariffs and quotas.

They thicken the borders of countries, but it is more important than ever to achieve trade facilitation to enhance administrative efficiency and effectiveness while reducing costs and time to markets,” he said.ENDS