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Safety and Security

The Government has assured the millions of fans who will be coming to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM that they will be safe in South Africa.

South Africa’s comprehensive plan for 2010 involves providing blanket security for the event. Safety has already received a funding boost – with the 2007 Budget including an additional R6,8 billion for crime prevention and justice services.

South Africa’s ability to manage the security for such an event has been endorsed by FIFA. In its report released after the inspection visit to South Africa, FIFA said authorities had the know-how and resources to manage security during 2010. It also noted that South African police had provided an “excellent, comprehensive work schedule” that would “doubtless satisfy every requirement for the event”.

Track record

South Africa's track record in managing high-level events speaks for itself. The country has hosted several global gatherings, such as:

•  World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002
•  Non-Aligned Movement summit in 1998
•  Rugby World Cup in 1995
•  African Cup of Nations in 1996
•  All Africa Games in 1999
•  Cricket World Cup in 2003

For the WSSD, which was attended by about 37 000 international delegates, South Africa poineered a security model that has been aknowledged as a new international benchmark – and has since been adopted by the United Nations as its model for large events.

South Africa also contributed to the security plan for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, with the SAPS being asked to help train police in the Caribbean.

Safety and security strategy

There are a number of prongs to South Africa’s strategy for ensuring that organisers, competitors and fans have a safe and trouble-free time during the 2010 World Cup.

Gathering intelligence

South Africa will be working closely with international agencies to gather inteligence.

Securing borders

There will be a focus on border security at ports of entry – including South Africa's land, sea and air borders.

Patrolling routes

Route security, specifically those leading from airports into the cities, will be a priority.

Policing sectors

Police are to divide the host cities into sections, with teams patrolling sections and focused on FIFA headquarters, hotels, other accommodation establishments, the stadiums, fan parks, restaurants and tourist venues.

For each sector there will be a dedicated team of officers, deployed long before the World Cup. These officers will work closely with managers and owners of hotels and accommodation establishments, using state-of-the-art communications equipment.

Using technology

Command vehicles and helicopters equipped with cameras will provide video feeds to the operational headquarters in Pretoria. This will allow senior police officials there to see what is going on in all the main centres.

A fleet of nearly 40 helicopters will be used for the tournament.

Boosting staff

By 2010, there will be a significant increase in police on the streets as a result of ongoing expansion since 2005 – which takes into accounts the requirements of the World Cup, but which is also part of the development of the police force to benefit the county in the long term. About 31 000 police officials will be attached to the World Cup event.

Holding a ‘dry-run’

In 2009, the complex security plan and the systems involved are to be tested in the FIFA Confederations Cup, which is an important “dry-run” for World Cup tournaments.

Learning from other events

Even before 2009, the police will be learning from – and lending expertise to – other major sporting events being held elsewhere in the world. Senior police officials will be attending these events, including the the Pan-American Games and the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Funding

The 2007 Budget allocates an additional R6,8 billion for crime prevention and justice services, with a total of R88,2 billion provided over three years. These budget increases will cater for an SAPS personnel increase to 192 000 members by the time South Africa hosts the event.

An amount of R666 million will be spent specifically on World Cup safety and security. This will cover equipment such as CCTV cameras, national and local command and control centres, radio communication technology and helicopters, as well as the employment and training of police officers – an investment that will benefit South Africa in the long term too.

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