STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: SA HOSTS RSA/BOTSWANA JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION ON DEFENCE AND SECURITY (JPCDS).

Date of Release: 20 October 2008
Embargo: None

Issues such as military to military cooperation between the governments of the Republic of South Africa and Botswana will be high on the agenda when the two countries hold a four-day (21 to 25 October 2008) meeting of the 8th session of the RSA/ Botswana Joint Permanent Commission and Security (JPCDS) in Cape Town, South Africa.

The meeting will also amongst others, discuss cooperation between the two countries in the combating of crimes such as trafficking of drugs, firearms and human. The meeting is further expected to discuss plans and security arrangements to ensure a successful hosting by South Africa of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament.

The RSA/Botswana JPCDS meeting will also examine progress made on matters agreed to during the last meeting that was held in Botswana on 24-26 October 2007.

The Minister of Defence, Mr Charles Nqakula will lead a South African delegation comprised of Ministries of Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, Foreign Affairs, Correctional Services, Safety and Security, Intelligence and Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Botswana delegation will be led by the Minister in the office of the President in charge of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr D.N. Seretse and will include Home Affairs and Labour.

The inaugural meeting of the JPCDS between South Africa and Botswana was held in Botswana since 2000 to discuss issues of common interests annually and interchangeably.

South Africa has bilateral arrangements in terms of JPCDS with most countries that it shares borders with, either by sea or land in the SADC region.

ENDS

Released by: The Ministry of Defence
Private Bag X 161
Pretoria
0001

Enquires: Mr Sam Mkhwanazi
Contact: 083 628 0858