Komatipoort – The mighty South African Defense Force might return to patrol border posts. This was announced by the Public Works Minister, Jeff Doidge during his visit to the region at Komatipoort where he met with his Mozambican counterpart, Felício Zacarias, to address the media regarding South Africa- Mozambique Combined Border Control Posts project. The Public Works minister said that the return of the SANDF will help fight crime at border posts. He said that his department will engage in discussions and the matter will also be tabled in parliament for debate. “We are certain that the return of the SANDF will help fight the ever escalating crime rate in border posts. We are not promising anything for now, but hope that everyone will see it fit to allow the force to come back,” he said. The SANDF was recently withdrawn from guarding the border posts without any given reasons. Since they were withdrawn, there have been reports of escalating crime in those border posts. A Bilateral Agreement on a Combined Border Control between the South African and Mozambican governments was signed in September 2007. This agreement would set out the broad principles of a One-Stop Border Post, as well as guide the implementation and operations of the facilities.