The US Embassy in South Africa’s office of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Friday donated $105 000 of border enforcement equipment and tools to the South African Revenue Service (Sars).
The equipment will be used in support of Sars’ efforts to safeguard South Africa’s borders.
The donation includes vehicle global positioning system units, field binoculars, night vision goggles, handheld thermal imagers, radiation detectors and contraband detection kits.
“The donation is a part of the US Customs and Border Protection’s longstanding partnership with the government of South Africa to support border security, trade facilitation and combat wildlife trafficking,” US Chargé d’Affaires Jessye Lapenn said.
She noted that the equipment would be used to help conserve South Africa’s diverse wildlife species, promote economic development and combat the multibillion-dollar illicit wildlife trade within the country’s borders.
“I am proud of the great work our South African and American teams have done together on these issues. Together, we are making a difference,” she said.
“This donation will strengthen our long-lasting relationship with the US, which has been assisting us since the 1990s. Our work together has helped us improve our fight against the illicit economy,” commented Sars customs executive Mohamed Ally.