Pretoria - South Africa's Advanced Passenger Processing (APP) system has proved to be effective, with the detection of football hooligans this week.
This as the National Joint Operation and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) announced that ten Argentine football hooligans were intercepted and refused entry into the country, after they landed on Sunday. The hooligans, known as the 'Barrabravas', were expected to be sent back to Argentina on Monday.
Briefing reporters on Tuesday, Home Affairs director General Mkuseli Apleni said the hooligans were detected using the APP system which allows the country to bar undesirable elements from entering South Africa.
According to the department 73 percent of all airlines flying to the country are now signed up to APP.
Asked about whether the department will be able to bar other possible hooligans entering the country, the director general said: "What we are saying is that in terms of the risks to the country we've put in place systems which will eliminate that risk to zero percent but I can't say that I've got a full proof system."
The APP is linked with what is termed the V-list, a database which when run is able to detect possible risks. Apleni said that if people were found to be guilty of crimes this would be detected and result in the arrest of those individuals.
To date, the department has issued 3500 work permits. It has also issued free event visas to spectators holding match tickets.
The Movement Control System (MCS) which facilitates the secure movement of tourists into and out of the country has processed about 2588 476 passenger in the period 1 May to 5 June. The system has also been able to detect over 15044 contraventions. These contraventions included individuals overstaying their entry conditions and penalties for temporary residence permit abuses.
Additional to the department's 1600 immigration officers a further 461 officers have been deployed at various ports of entry into the country. OR Tambo International Airport have increased their number of officers by additional 76 while Cape Town Airport has received a further 30 officers and King Shaka has received 20 new officers.
Regarding the arrival of teams into the country, a team terminal was set up at OR Tambo for their processing. So far 26 out of the 32 teams have arrived into the country.
About 24 Heads of State, mostly from the African continent have confirmed their attendance to the opening ceremony.
