South Africa and Mozambique on Tuesday signed a treaty for the establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS).
Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said cooperation on defence and security between South Africa and Mozambique is critical ”if South Africa is to host a successful and secure 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament in two years’ time”.
The agreement will see the two countries cooperate in the fields of defence and security, and exchange information on the activities and movement of elements involved in crimes such as drug smuggling and human trafficking.
”In the course of the implementation of the provision of the JPCDS, we will establish effective channels of communication between the defence and security forces of our two countries, especially along the common border, to effectively deal with matters relating to cross-border crimes and illegal migration,” Lekota said.
Lekota also said that South Africa and Mozambique need to reaffirm their cooperation on the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia one-stop border-post project, which will include separate facilities for processing passenger and cargo traffic ahead of the World Cup.
”The one-stop facility will handle a considerable increase in the numbers of tourists in the region before, during and after the event,” Lekota said. — Sapa