South Africa: The first Operational Liaison Committee meeting for this year was hosted by Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters North West under the Leadership of the Officer Commanding Joint Tactical Headquarters North West, Colonel M.J Ramakatsa.
The aim of this meeting is to insure that both the neighbouring countries reach their objectives with regard to borderline safeguarding and brainstorm strategies to curb the borderline transgressions and criminal activities taking place on both ends of the armed forces, including discussions of all factors that influence the areas of responsibilities of both forces.
Emanating from the 3rd Session of the South African- Botswana Bilateral Commission held in Pretoria on the 8th of November 2016, resolutions were made that Liaison is established between the two Defence Forces at the tactical level with specific reference to the establishment of radio communication, Liaison and interaction.
The Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters North West and Botswana Defence Force held the first bilateral meeting in April 2017, where decisions were made to give expression to the wishes of the Defence Chiefs.
The Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters North West, Northern Cape and Limpopo all share a common border with Botswana and hence have a common interest in maintaining communication with the Botswana Defence Force in order to enhance operations along the common border.
During the bilateral meeting between the Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters North West and the Botswana Defence Force, it was agreed to maintain and pursue the bilateral meetings, which will be held bi-annually, rotated between the Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters and the Botswana Defence Force.
This year in attendance was the Botswana Defence Force General Officer Commanding 3 Bridge Group, Brigadier General Masunga and his command group, which included his Intelligence, Operations and Communications officers, namely: Colonel Kapeko, Major Olefile, Major Seretse, Major Motsumi and Major Phatshwane.
From the side of the Republic of South Africa presenting the situational awareness and operations was the Staff Officer 1 Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Kubatsi and Staff Officer 1 Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Likitlane, the Officer Commanding Joint Tactical Headquarters North West further invited the Command group of Limpopo which was represented by the Staff Officer Intelligence, Lieutenant Colonel F.M Muvhulawa with the Staff Officer 2 Operational Plan, Major C.H.Z. Smit presented the Operational situation of the Limpopo Province.
The fruitfulness of such a meeting is based on the transparency of both the neighbouring countries and the level of discipline in terms of leadership and respect amongst the leader groups. The successes of operations depend on planning and, most importantly, establishing objectives that will better protect the citizens of both the Republic of South Africa and Botswana.
The agenda at this conference was focused on operational experiences on both ends, all challenges were explored, and discussions included solutions that will better protect and allow deployed members to carry out their mission to a higher standard.
These types of engagements are of utmost importance because they render opportunities to improve both the Republic of South Africa and Botswana Defence Force in terms of strategic planning and management.
During the intelligence briefings of both the involved Countries, it was established that we are encountering similar challenges, and the experts in intelligence gave their views on how to eliminate such issues to give direction to operations.
Important points were elaborated on, such as border crossing, State of Border Fence, no man’s land and both the Republic of South Africa and Botswana Defence Force deployments.
It was established here that communication and sharing of information are of vital importance to the success of planned operations. This concept supports the mandate of intelligence-driven operations.
The Officer Commanding Joint Tactical Headquarters North West, Colonel M.J. Ramakatsa, made sure to emphasise the importance of continuity in so doing planning and scheduling for future Joint Operations with other government entities, not forgetting Bilateral and cultural exchange.