Improved methods of intelligence gathering and closer co-operation between the intelligence arms of State, the SAPS, Scorpions, customs and immigration services will contribute to significantly improved investigations which in turn will impact on the quality of prosecutions and increase public confidence in our systems. To ensure more effective intelligence capacity, the cluster has agreed that the consolidation of signal intelligence capacity is a priority for the year 2000. The Ministry for Intelligence Services will spearhead the setting up of the national communication centre during the course of this year. This will give us a crucial weapon in out fight against crime. This is a very important problem facing the cluster.
Porous Borders make for very inefficient internal crime prevention systems.
Recognising the enormity of the problem the ministers of Home Affairs and Defence conducted a tour of one of our most problematic borders ie Lebombo and Oshoek in December. A tighter system is now being worked on in terms of a co-ordinated strategy, involving all Departments in the Cluster. The illegal alien problem and cross border crime originates to some extent from the border control or the lack of thereof. The Department has as one of its priorities the upgrading of this facet. It is involved with the other relevant Departments in the border control context and through NIDS in major efforts in respect of upgrading ports of entry, training combating corruption and streamlining of procedures.