Johannesburg - The South African Police Services has assured soccer fans that they need not fear for their safety, when they are in the country for the FIFA Confederations Cup.
"We want to assure international and local soccer fans that our strategic and operational plans will ensure that they enjoy the tournament with peace and harmony," said head of operational support services, assistant Police Commissioner Ben Groenewald.
Speaking at an event to celebrate the second anniversary of Prime Media's Crime Line initiative, Commissioner Groenewald further assured the public that all the security measures for the Festival of Champions have been put in place.
"We warn criminals that our members and partners are standing by to crush any lawbreaker without clemency."
The FIFA Confederations Cup safety plan is divided into national and provincial structures, with the national structure dealing with strategic issues and the provincial structure implementing operational issues.
More than 12 000 law enforcement officials have been deployed to four host cities and non-hosting cities. This excludes the normal police members who have also geared up to ensure safety and security of people during and after the tournament.
"More officials will be deployed to Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg during the opening and closing ceremony of the event. We have already sent thousands of police officers to monitor the venue at the opening ceremony taking place this weekend," he said.
Further to this, police and members of the South African Defence Force have been positioned at all ports of entry, including airports and national boarders, to ensure criminals do not gain entry to the country as well as to prevent organised crime.
Commissioner Groenewald said a number of law enforcement officials have been sent to popular tourist attractions and hotels situated around training stadiums.
He said the members' priorities include robbery, car theft and hijacking, drug related crimes, organised crime and human trafficking, among others.
Further to this, a special investigation team has been established in all host cities and the 24-hour special courts will be set up in Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rustenburg to ensure the swift prosecution of criminals.
An international security control office has been set up where the national security structures will be liaising with all security organisations of all seven participating nations.
Local Organising Committee Communication Director, Rich Mkhondo, said FIFA and the LOC were satisfied with the security plan and confident that South Africa would host the best FIFA Confederations Cup ever.
"We invite all public members to work with us ensuring that we host the safest Confederations Cup by joining the SAPS in the fight against crime.
"Crime is the finest public vigilance and public participation is key to the SAPS event's plan and we hope that we will conquer criminals and stage the best 'Festival of Champions' ever," he said.
