Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

Announcing the commissioning of the first maritime reaction squadron since the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was established in 1994, Mudimu said navies throughout the world were being confronted with maritime threats.

These come from criminal elements committing acts of piracy, terrorism, human trafficking and drug smuggling - while using sophisticated weapons.

He said criminals were taking advantage of countries with weak navies that were unable to patrol their waters.

By establishing the rapid reaction squadron, the navy planned to build up capacity to conduct interdiction, patrol and escort operations in coastal, lake, and riverine areas.

Mudimu said a collective approach was required by navies to counter maritime threats through joint patrols and the exchange of information within a state's security establishments.

He said if the Mumbai kind of threat was to be avoided, communities living near rivers and in coastal areas needed to be observant and encouraged to report suspicious activities.

"What gives (a community member) doubt might be the indication that an illegal activity is about to take place," he said.

The squadron has been specially trained by various units of the SANDF, including the infantry and special forces, as well as being trained in maritime legal expertise to acquire various skills so they can board suspicious ships to counter criminal and illegal activities at sea.

They will be able to help the police and environmental policing units in efforts to combat smuggling and poaching.

The chief director of maritime strategy, R-Adm Bernard Teuteberg, said the squadron would also have operational diving capability and would help in disaster operations.

He said the unit would always be "lean and mean" because of the physical demands of its tasks, which require high levels of fitness and agility on land and water.