South Africa warns about sea pirates
The threat of piracy is moving south towards South Africa, the SA Navy says
Chief maritime strategy director Bernhard Hein Teuteberg said the navy was prepared to deal with this threat.
The key to fighting pirates was collective Southern African Development Community (SADC) security, he said.
Teuteberg was briefing reporters in Simon’s Town, Cape Town, on the state of the navy.
“We have proposed a maritime zone and regional maritime domain zone centres, all working together to exchange information.”
Information about vessels moving around South Africa would start being centralised on a system from April 1. This information would hopefully be shared with centres in the region.
South Africa formalised diplomatic ties with Somalia on Wednesday, which would likely help anti-piracy efforts.
Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa had also been working together for the past year to secure the channel between the mainland and Mozambique.
Under “Operation Copper”, a frigate and a helicopter, special forces and a maritime squad had been deployed.
Mozambique was providing a naval base in Pemba at no cost, and 12 inland control vessels, to protect the lagoon and area around the base.
Three Tanzanian vessels were patrolling inshore areas around Dar es Salaam, and between Mozambique and Tanzania.
Beaches in hot spots were being patrolled on foot, and local communities were ready to report any suspicious activity.
Teuteberg said once pirates were arrested it could be difficult deciding who dealt with their criminal prosecution.
“It would be potentially unwise to do the trials and incarcerations of pirates here [in South Africa]. We believe [though that] there should be a single point where these trials happen.”
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M'pesu
Shoot these bustard's vessels with missiles and let them sleep with fishes... that would be an ideal strategy..Report Abuse
Phuphethakatha
Good idea, in the meantime take no prisoners. Just blow them !!!Report Abuse
Shredder
I have a good feeling about this one. I don't know how many black marines we have, but I hope there are more white marines than blacks since blacks are petrified of the sea :). If the number of white marines is bigger they will chase those pirates until they poop in their pants provided Zuma does not hold their hands :). Bernhard Hein Teuteberg, khss khss saaa!!vat hulle :)Report Abuse
cyborg
The SA Army has failed to control our inland issues, it's now time for the Navy to show that we are capable of kicking butts.Report Abuse
RobinH
Don't bother with dealing with criminal prosecution. SHoot them like they would anyone opposing them. Treat the situation as one of warfare. They are enemy combatants and heavily armed.Report Abuse
sabza007
Well, there is nothing that they are doing and they will become fatigue.Let them put these pirates back to the grave. Kaizer Chiefs will be doing the same to the ''inland'' Pirates this weekend.Report Abuse
fongkongtiger
'Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa had also been working together for the past year to secure the channel between the mainland and Mozambique.' Surely you mean 'between the mainland and Madagascar'. Or has Mozambique floated off into the channel without telling anyone?Report Abuse
LLCool
@sabza007:i agree with you:
Why do we need the Navy? Let the KFC, A.K.A Kaizer Fish en Chips deal with them. Pierats are more than welcome.
Report Abuse
SQWAItheLEGEND
I bet Africa`s president have profits with these pirates..like really nowReport Abuse
sakhomba
somebody tell what do these flip flops wearing Pirates do with all the money they get from robbing at sea?Report Abuse
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