2010 FIFA World Cup - Security measures

South Africa is confident that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will be safe and secure.

• We have dedicated more than 46 000 police officers to secure the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The majority of the police deployed for the tournament are trained officers with experience in major events.
• Host cities have been divided into sections, with police teams patrolling each section focusing on accommodation, stadiums, fan parks, restaurants and tourist venues.
• Route security, specifically those leading from airports into the cities, ports of entry and team bases will be a priority.
• We have dedicated police stations, crime-investigation teams and special courts within close proximity to each stadium operating on a 24-hour basis. Our Joint Operational Centres at both national and provincial levels will be fully operational from 24 May 2010.

South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™ security plan has been applauded by all stakeholders.

• A comprehensive security plan, which includes South Africa’s approach to addressing terror threats, hooliganism and crime, was submitted to FIFA in June 2008.
• This plan was well received by security experts from the 32 participating countries and by 188 Interpol member countries.
• South Africa has successfully delivered close to 150 major sporting events, including the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2009 Indian Premier League, without incident.
• South Africa had representatives at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2008 and the Beijing Olympics to learn from the host countries’ experiences.

Police are working with their international counterparts to ensure a safe 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

• Interpol has set up an office in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ to assist authorities secure the tournament. The Dangerous and Disruptive Persons (DDP) database developed by Interpol will assist authorities in keeping such persons from entering South Africa.
• The Regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) Security Plan has been finalised and cooperation with several countries is underway. Border securities, including sea and air security strategies, are in place.
• Countries competing in the event will send their own specially trained police officers to assist with languages and cultural differences and to support the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• The French military has trained SAPS in techniques used to deal with possible violent situations in order to protect spectators at the stadiums.

Every precaution has been taken against international and local terror threats for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

• Since 2004 we have been working closely with international agencies to gather intelligence, where pro-active and re-active preparations were undertaken to overcome any potential terrorism threat.
• Law enforcement specialists from all participating countries – including intelligence structures – will permeate South Africa by 24 May 2010. United States and the United Kingdom will be sending a larger contingent of officers to secure their teams.
• Within hours of receiving a rumoured threat, police are geared to identify the credibility of such reports.
• Various simulation exercises have already been conducted by the police and military with great success.

State-of-the-art information and communications military technology is being used to secure the tournament. These investments will continue to assist the police in their crime-fighting initiatives long after the World Cup is over.

• There will be four mobile command centres that will able to receive live footage from the airplanes and other cameras.
• Surveillance of stadiums and key areas will be monitored by over 300 mobile cameras.
• There are 10 mobile command vehicles, a fleet of nearly 40 helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Ten water cannons, 100 high-performance vehicles for highway patrol and up-to-date body armour will be used.