printer friendly version

Panic stations, terrorists at 2000 km

The recent attack on the Togo football team at the CAF cup in Angola has resulted in widespread panic and the usual questions as to whether South Africa will be subject to similar incidents while the FIFA Soccer World Cup is on.

According to Terry Scallan, chairman of the South African Institute of Security, the incident has “to all intents been blown out of proportion by the international media in regard to the safety and security of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa”.

Terry Scallan

Scallan continues: “South Africa is not Angola. We do not have terrorists roaming the streets. We have a sophisticated infrastructure that cannot even be compared with that of Angola.

“The Safety and Security Plan for 2010 by the South African Police Service is of the highest standard ever for a World Cup and has been approved by FIFA. The South African Police Service will be supported by the South African National Defence Force as well as thousands of private security industry officers during the World Cup. Our security officers have a high visibility in all our major centres.”

Scallan adds that the complainers have paid no attention to the Operational Plan for the Safety and Security at 2010. The overall responsibility for safety and security is that of the South African Police Service and delegated to National Deputy Commissioner, Andre Pruis. Moreover, a special committee called JOINTS (Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure) chaired by assistant Commissioner Ben Groenewald and consisting of various government, municipal and provincial authorities, as well as private organisations has been formed to prepare for the event and any problems that may arise.

“I have presented numerous talks on safety and security at 2010, both locally and internationally,” he continues. “I also headed the SAQA task team that developed the training programme for security at an event, which had the 2010 FIFA World Cup in mind. This, besides numerous consultations with the Local Organising Committee for 2010 as well as with the South African Police Service and local, and international event security specialists.

“So, let us put things into the proper perspective. All safety and security contingencies have been covered in the Safety and Security Plan to ensure we and our overseas visitors enjoy the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

Share this article:

Further reading: