Johannesburg - The 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has reiterated that the FIFA World Cup will be safe.
Following the murder of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader, Eugene Terre'Blanche, the rightwing group has called for international visitors not to come to South Africa as their safety would not be guaranteed.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, LOC CEO Danny Jordaan said any move to disrupt the event would be unsuccessful.
"It's not going to happen," he said.
More than 30 000 police officers are being recruited and trained specifically for strategic deployment during the tournament.
Interpol will also mount the biggest ever joint intelligence gathering operation during the world cup to ensure that the tournament concludes without any major security threats.
A two-day security workshop, attended by representatives of the 32 participating teams, was held in Zurich recently where the international police body pledged to support South Africa host a safe and secure World Cup.
Jordaan said the LOC was in good financial health to deliver the tournament which kicks-off in just 62 days.
Of the $423 million budget allocated to the organising committee by FIFA, only 32 percent was spent by the end of the 2008/2009 financial year.
"Organising committees of all major events around the world have to contend with budgetary demands and pressures and this committee is not different.
"I am happy to report that the committee has maintained financial prudence and discipline throughout," Jordaan said.
Meanwhile, FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke, said while the football body noted the concerns raised by the creative industry in South Africa about the large number of international artists performing at the FIFA Kick-Off Celebration concert on June 10, it stood by its decision.
He said the concert was a FIFA event and needed to have international character.
South African artists have raised concerns about not being adequately represented in the line-up for the concert.
Valcke said members of the LOC board including Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Cosatu Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi will convene a meeting next week with the concerned parties to discuss a way forward.
