Namibia and SA discuss defence and security

A DELEGATION of 39 Government officials left for South Africa yesterday to attend the annual session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, which starts today.

In Durban, the two countries will discuss defence and security issues, progress made on existing agreements and topics related to border traffic and controls along the common border. The Namibian delegation is led by Defence Minister Charles Philip Namoloh and includes officials from the Ministries of Defence, Safety and Security, Tourism and Foreign Affairs.Members of the Namibian Central Intelligence Agency are also taking part.The three-day talks will end on Friday.Last year the annual meeting took place at Walvis Bay.The opening of two new border posts, one at Mata Mata, which will give tourists access to South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park, and the envisaged entry at the Orange River in the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, which covers both countries along the Orange River, will be on the agenda.Namibia has defence and security meetings on an annual basis with all its direct neighbours – Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.The Namibian delegation is led by Defence Minister Charles Philip Namoloh and includes officials from the Ministries of Defence, Safety and Security, Tourism and Foreign Affairs.Members of the Namibian Central Intelligence Agency are also taking part.The three-day talks will end on Friday.Last year the annual meeting took place at Walvis Bay.The opening of two new border posts, one at Mata Mata, which will give tourists access to South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park, and the envisaged entry at the Orange River in the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, which covers both countries along the Orange River, will be on the agenda.Namibia has defence and security meetings on an annual basis with all its direct neighbours – Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.