NATJOINTS Chairperson Lt General Tebello Mosikili: NATJOINTS media briefing ahead of 46th Ordinary SADC Summit

Speaker notes by the NATJOINTS Chairperson, Lt General Tebello Mosikili at the NATJOINTS media briefing ahead of The 46th Ordinary SADC Summit KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

Good evening to the Co-Chair, Lieutenant General Siphiwe Sangweni

Good evening to the members of the media ...

Ladies and Gentlemen...

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, NATJOINTS as we are commonly referred to, is ready and fully prepared to ensure the safety and security of all 12 Heads of State and Government expected to descend on Durban for the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community, SADC.

NATJOINTS has a proven track record of planning and securing major national and international events hosted in South Africa. We have repeatedly demonstrated our ability to deliver world-class security operations without incidents, and we are confident that the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit will be no different.

Our operations commenced on 03 August 2026, with a number of build-up meetings, side events and other activities taking place ahead of the main Summit.

We are pleased to report that, thus far, no security incidents or disruptions have been reported in relation to these activities.

This is a clear demonstration that the security apparatus of South Africa is equal to the task. Our capabilities have been tried, tested and proven to be fit for purpose.

We have planned extensively for this Summit, and we are not leaving anything to chance.

From tomorrow, Ministers and other high-level delegations from various SADC member states will begin arriving in the country. We are confident that all the necessary security and operational plans are firmly in place.

Our intelligence structures are already on the ground. We are continuously assessing the security environment, and all relevant law enforcement and security agencies are working together to identify, prevent and respond to any potential threats.

The Heads of State and Government are expected to arrive later this week. We are confident that the security measures in place are adequate and will ensure their safety and the smooth running of the Summit.

South Africa is a country where the rule of law is upheld. Anyone who seeks to threaten public safety, compromise the security of the Summit or disrupt the programme of events will be dealt with firmly and within the law.

DURBAN IS READY

I can confirm that Durban is stable, secure and ready to host the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit.

There are a number of activities and side events taking place during this period, including rugby and soccer matches. Our security plans have taken all of these events into consideration.

The deployment is therefore not limited to the Summit venue. We have comprehensive plans covering the venues, accommodation facilities, routes, side events, public spaces and other areas where delegates and visitors will be present.

Our objective is simple: a safe, secure and incident-free Summit.

PLANNED MARCHES AND DEMONSTRATIONS

We are aware of a number of planned marches and demonstrations during this period.

The majority of marches that have taken place across South Africa over the past two to three months have been peaceful. Only a few have been characterised by elements of criminality and lawlessness.

We commend the overwhelming majority of our law-abiding citizens who exercise their constitutional rights peacefully and responsibly.

Our message to anyone planning to march or demonstrate is clear:

You have a right to protest peacefully and lawfully. You do not have a right to commit criminal acts, intimidate others, damage property or disrupt a major international event.

We urge organisers and participants to comply fully with the law and with the conditions governing their marches.

Let me be unequivocal: the disruption of the 46th SADC Ordinary Summit will not be allowed.

Anyone who crosses the line from lawful protest into criminality or threatens the safety and security of others will face the consequences of the law.

The security forces will respond decisively, proportionately and within the law to any threat to public safety and security.

ACCREDITATION AND ACCESS CONTROL

We have already arrested one Zimbabwean foreign national who attempted to obtain accreditation for the Summit.

The individual presented himself as a performing artist and claimed that his documentation and supporting documents had been stolen. He was arrested after he failed to present valid documentation while attempting to obtain accreditation as an artist for the event.

Our message is clear:

No accreditation, no access.

If you are not accredited to attend the Summit or any of its authorised activities, stay away from the Durban ICC.

Do not attempt to circumvent the accreditation and security processes.

There will be no exchanging, lending, borrowing or sharing of valid accreditation between individuals. Accreditation is issued to a specific person and is not transferable.

Anyone found exchanging, lending, borrowing or sharing accreditation will be immediately removed from the controlled area and will face the necessary legal action.

We will not compromise the integrity of the accreditation system.

The Durban ICC is a controlled security environment. Only properly accredited and authorised persons will be permitted access.

Do not test the security forces. We are prepared, we are deployed and we will respond accordingly.

SECURITY RESOURCES

All specialised units and maximum available resources have been placed on standby and are deployed as part of the overall security plan.

This includes intelligence, crime prevention, public order policing, traffic management and other specialised capabilities required to secure the Summit, its delegates, venues and associated activities.

Our approach is proactive.

We are not waiting for incidents to happen before we act. We are identifying potential threats, assessing them and putting measures in place to prevent them from materialising.

Our intelligence structures are on the ground, and all security agencies are working together under the NATJOINTS framework.

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR SADC NEIGHBOURS

As we prepare to welcome our Heads of State and Government, Ministers, diplomats and other delegates from across the SADC region, we appeal to the people of South Africa, and Durban in particular, to welcome our SADC neighbours with the warmth, hospitality and Ubuntu that South Africa is known for.

We want our visitors to experience the best of South Africa.

This is an important regional gathering, and South Africa has an opportunity to demonstrate not only its ability to host a major international event, but also the warmth and hospitality of its people.

DURBAN ICC AND ROAD CLOSURES

The Durban International Convention Centre, as the main venue for the Summit, is operating under heightened security measures.

We urge members of the public who are not attending the Summit or who do not have authorised access not to come to the Durban ICC or attempt to enter the security-controlled areas.

The city will communicate information regarding road closures and traffic disruptions in and around the ICC.

There will also be temporary closures of certain routes when Heads of State of the various countries are being transported to and from venues.

These closures are necessary security measures.

We urge motorists and members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement, follow instructions and plan their journeys accordingly.

TRAVEL AND WEATHER ADVISORY

We also urge all those travelling to Durban during this period to take the necessary precautions and check the latest weather information and advisories issued by the South African Weather Service.

Given the current cold weather conditions, motorists are urged to exercise caution, ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and allow themselves sufficient travelling time.

We appeal to everyone travelling to and from Durban to prioritise their safety, particularly on the roads, and to heed the advice and warnings issued by the South African Weather Service.

We want everyone attending and travelling to the Summit to arrive safely, remain safe and return home safely.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, NATJOINTS is ready.

We are already on the ground. Our security plans are in place. Our intelligence structures are operational. Our specialised units are deployed and our personnel are ready.

NATJOINTS has a demonstrated track record of securing major events of national and international significance without incidents.

We have done this before, and we will do it again.

We are therefore confident that the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit will take place in a safe, secure, stable and incident-free environment.

But let us be clear: this confidence does not mean complacency.

We remain vigilant. We remain alert. We remain ready to respond to any threat.

Our message to those attending the Summit is simple: you are safe in South Africa.

Our message to the people of Durban is equally clear: continue with your daily lives, cooperate with the security forces and follow official traffic and security instructions.

And our message to anyone who intends to compromise the security of this Summit is firm:

We are ready.

We are watching.

We will act.

South Africa is ready to welcome our SADC neighbours, and NATJOINTS is ready to ensure that the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit is a safe and successful event.

Welcome to South Africa. Welcome to Durban.

I THANK YOU.