Nothing will be left to chance concerning security issues in the Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009 and the Soccer World Cup in 2010, Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Susan Shabangu said on Saturday.
Speaking at the media briefing at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, Shabangu was joined by CEO of the 2010 local organising committee Danny Jordaan and Deputy Commissioner of the South African Police Service Andre Pruis.
”We have seen immense progress concerning security, and in the coming two years we will see even better progress,” Shabangu said.
Concerning both the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, she said that resources would be beefed up to ensure that police expertise could be maximised.
According to Pruis, R640-million would be spent on the deployment of 41Â 000 officers specifically for the 2010 event. This will include 31Â 000 permanent members of the police force and 10Â 000 police reservists.
He said that recruitment and specific training for the event was also under way.
Jordaan said that the event was particularly important for tourism.
”We want the expected 10-million tourists to return … Our track record is equal to anywhere in the world. We take our safety seriously,” Jordaan said. — Sapa