World Cup security: government allays concerns

Johannesburg – The 2010 Fifa World Cup^TM to be hosted in South Africa will be one of the most secure world cups in the history of the tournament, Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Susan Shabangu told local and international media gathered at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.

The minister said that South Africa started its 2010 security operational plan immediately after the country was announced to host the prestigious event in May 2004.

“Security planning for the Fifa 2010 World Cup began immediately after it was announced on 15 May 2004 that South Africa will be hosting this event,” she said.

Shabangu said South Africa’s approach to 2010 Fifa World Cup security was guided by the Guarantees the government made to Fifa when the bid was awarded.

“Our planning revolves around the Government Guarantees given by the Minister for Safety and Security and the National Commissioner of police that we will undertake to secure certain venues and facilities, provide protection to people attending the event and to make the necessary resources available for this purpose,” said Shabangu.

Soon after South Africa was named as hosts, the government started rolling out a planning and operational strategy which will be rendered in seven phases:

• Run-up Phase (May 2004-mid June 2009)
• Confederations Cup (June 2009)
• Pre-tournament Phase (July 09-mid June 2010)
• Opening Ceremony (Mid June 2010)
• Tournament Phase (11 June – July 2010)
• Final and Closing Ceremony (Mid July 2010)
• Post World Cup Phase (mid July to end July 2010)

This approach will help government and the South African police allocate suitable security solutions for each of the phases.

In the build-up to the 2010 World Cup the South African Police Service will spend R640-million on the deployment of 41 000 officers specifically for the event. This figure includes 31 000 permanent members and 10 000 police reservists.

The SAPS has already purchased some of the hi-tech equipment needed to ensure that safety of fans and visitors in 2010 is assured.

“We have already purchased new helicopters, water cannons, mobile command vehicles, body armor and other resources for crowd management as well as hi-tech bomb disposal equipment, said Shabangu.

Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan told journalists that South Africa had hosted numerous major events and international teams without a single security-related incident occurring.

“Our track record is equal to any in the world, all of our events, not a single incident. Those who came to the prelim draw, those who come for this (Confederations Cup) draw, we take your security very seriously.

“On that basis of that I think from an event standpoint, this country can deliver a safe and secure world cup,” he said.

LOC security boss Linda Mti said South Africa’s 2010 Fifa World Cup security concept had been endorsed by Fifa.

“South Africa submitted a comprehensive security plan, which included its approach to addressing terror threats, hooliganism and crime to Fifa in June 2008. The plan has since been reviewed and endorsed by Fifa with the conclusion being that it builds a reassuring basis for security of the event,” said Mti.

In addition to South Africa’s safety and security efforts, countries competing in the 2010 World Cup will send their own specially trained police officers to assist with language and cultural differences and to support the SAPS.

South Africa is also working closely with major international agencies to gather intelligence.

The LOC is currently facilitating training of some 70 stadium safety officers.

The South African police have been conducting simulated exercises to prepare for any eventually during the tournament.

To this end, the joint security forces have undertaken several simulations and training exercises to hone their skills.

These included air and maritime defence and chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear simulations in Cape Town, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein.

South Africa has invested over R1.3-billion towards securing the 2010 World Cup. The government says that this investment will continue to assist police in their crime fighting efforts long after the 2010 Fifa World Cup.