SAPS holds simulation exercise ahead of Confeds Cup

Friday, May 22, 2009

Rustenburg - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has held simulated exercises at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium to showcase its preparedness to handle any type of disruptive behaviour that may arise at the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup.

The SAPS training division has been holding the exercises at the stadium since Monday.

Head of Operations and Tactical Training, Senior Superintendent Faizel Ally, said they were prepared for the event.

"We are proud to say that our members who will be working next month are now ready to maintain order in the upcoming Confederations Cup," he said, adding that the training had included crowd control, emergency response, disaster management, hooliganism as well as pitch invasion scenarios.

Senior Superintendent Ally said a zero-tolerance approach would be used when it came to soccer lovers attending a match with the purpose of disrupting the game.

"We will have many different types of supporters in our country during the Confederations Cup. Those who cause trouble will be escorted out of the stadium with immediate effect," he said.

He further indicated that they had already completed extensive training in air defence in various provinces. This pertains to identifying unruly behaviour.

"We are quite confident that we will be able to manage this event well in terms of security. We would like to assure everyone that the police will be here to ensure that everyone behaves in a good manner."