The Soutpansberg Military Area (SMA) Headquarters was situated in Messina in the Northern Province of South Africa.

After the independence of Zimbabwe and its subsequent close relations with liberation organisations in South Africa, a security threat from the north was expected.

The electrical fence was severely damaged during the 2000 floods and was under repair, placing an extra burden on funds and personnel to maintain the same level of readiness.

In this area, sisal plants formed a barrier in the past, but these were cleared to make way for an extension of the Norex electrical fence.

Farmers along this stretch of the border assisted the military and the police in reporting suspected crossings and illegal immigrants in their areas.

Limpopo Commando was responsible for the stretch from Pontdrift East up to the nature reserve west of Messina.