Safety for the SA World Cup 2010

On some forums I have noticed certain individuals bent on exaggerating the crime in SA, even discouraging tourists from coming to SA, yes i don't deny there is a crime problem in SA, but i do disagree with the way in which it is portrayed that tourists will be affected, the fact is that tourists here have just as much chance of being affected by crime as in any other country of the world, crime usually affects areas where tourists are not found, i.e townships. Most rapes and murder occur there as well. Tourists are well protected in this country and should not harbor any undue fears regarding travelling to SA, if you are really concerned I suggest checking out http://www.eblockwatch.co.za and linking up with a local. The government is taking safety seriously and I wanted to reproduce this article below from their official SA 2010 site.

Safety and Security

The Government has assured the millions of fans who will be coming to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM that they will be safe in South Africa.

South Africa’s comprehensive plan for 2010 involves providing blanket security for the event. Safety has already received a funding boost – with the 2007 Budget including an additional R6,8 billion for crime prevention and justice services.

South Africa’s ability to manage the security for such an event has been endorsed by FIFA. In its report released after the inspection visit to South Africa, FIFA said authorities had the know-how and resources to manage security during 2010. It also noted that South African police had provided an “excellent, comprehensive work schedule” that would “doubtless satisfy every requirement for the event”.

Track record

South Africa's track record in managing high-level events speaks for itself. The country has hosted several global gatherings, such as:

• World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002
• Non-Aligned Movement summit in 1998
• Rugby World Cup in 1995
• African Cup of Nations in 1996
• All Africa Games in 1999
• Cricket World Cup in 2003

For the WSSD, which was attended by about 37 000 international delegates, South Africa poineered a security model that has been aknowledged as a new international benchmark – and has since been adopted by the United Nations as its model for large events.

South Africa also contributed to the security plan for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, with the SAPS being asked to help train police in the Caribbean.

Safety and security strategy

There are a number of prongs to South Africa’s strategy for ensuring that organisers, competitors and fans have a safe and trouble-free time during the 2010 World Cup.

Gathering intelligence

South Africa will be working closely with international agencies to gather inteligence.

Securing borders

There will be a focus on border security at ports of entry – including South Africa's land, sea and air borders.

Patrolling routes

Route security, specifically those leading from airports into the cities, will be a priority.

Policing sectors

Police are to divide the host cities into sections, with teams patrolling sections and focused on FIFA headquarters, hotels, other accommodation establishments, the stadiums, fan parks, restaurants and tourist venues.

For each sector there will be a dedicated team of officers, deployed long before the World Cup. These officers will work closely with managers and owners of hotels and accommodation establishments, using state-of-the-art communications equipment.

Using technology

Command vehicles and helicopters equipped with cameras will provide video feeds to the operational headquarters in Pretoria. This will allow senior police officials there to see what is going on in all the main centres.

A fleet of nearly 40 helicopters will be used for the tournament.

Boosting staff

By 2010, there will be a significant increase in police on the streets as a result of ongoing expansion since 2005 – which takes into accounts the requirements of the World Cup, but which is also part of the development of the police force to benefit the county in the long term. About 31 000 police officials will be attached to the World Cup event.

Holding a ‘dry-run’

In 2009, the complex security plan and the systems involved are to be tested in the FIFA Confederations Cup, which is an important “dry-run” for World Cup tournaments.

Learning from other events

Even before 2009, the police will be learning from – and lending expertise to – other major sporting events being held elsewhere in the world. Senior police officials will be attending these events, including the the Pan-American Games and the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Funding

The 2007 Budget allocates an additional R6,8 billion for crime prevention and justice services, with a total of R88,2 billion provided over three years. These budget increases will cater for an SAPS personnel increase to 192 000 members by the time South Africa hosts the event.

An amount of R666 million will be spent specifically on World Cup safety and security. This will cover equipment such as CCTV cameras, national and local command and control centres, radio communication technology and helicopters, as well as the employment and training of police officers – an investment that will benefit South Africa in the long term too.

(Article from: http://www.sa2010.gov.za/government/safety.php)

Taxi In Jo'Burg

Taxi sign language

If you have to use the taxi service then this may come in handy, please only do so in company, during the day time and when you know where you are going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nORTtQuDBvw

The N1 - South Africa

Driving in South Africa

Driving in South Africa

Roads
Our road infrastructure is excellent, so driving is a viable option, but South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day, so plan your journeys carefully. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.

While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.

Current information on the conditions of roads can be obtained through the Automobile Association of South Africa. The AA also provides invaluable guides for road users in the form of strip maps tailored for specific destinations and information for tourists on accommodation en route.

Main roads are identified by colour and number rather than by name, and with a good map which incorporates the route marker system, visitors should have little difficulty in finding their way around.

Maps of South Africa
Automobile Association of SA web site
Shell Geostar

Toll roads
Before you set off, check your route. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay. Toll fares for a light passenger vehicle vary from R2.50 to R46.00.

Routes Travel Info Portal: Toll Roads

Watch out for animals in rural areas
Be aware that the roads in many rural areas are not fenced, so you could find dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road, so it may be dangerous to drive at night.

Large antelope crossing the road can also be a hazard in certain areas – watch out for the road signs depicting a leaping antelope, and take it slowly, especially towards evening.
Keep left, belt up, think kilometres

We drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are right-hand drive vehicles. All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres.

Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit, if you want to speak on your mobile phone. The law prohibits the use of hand-held phones while driving but that doesn’t stop most of the locals from using them.

Speed limit
The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated. Check the road signs.

Driver’s licences
Any valid driver’s licence is accepted provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English.

Filling up
A variety of petrol (gas) stations are situated on both main and country roads. Most of them are open 24 hours a day, although some keep shorter hours. However, distances between towns (and therefore between petrol stations) are considerable in some parts of the country, so it is advisable to fill up your tank before it starts giving warning signals.

Different petrol types are available: unleaded, and 95- or 93-octane ("super" or "premium"). The 95-octane petrol is available in the higher altitude, inland regions, while 93 or lower is used at the coast.

If you are hiring a car it is likely to require unleaded petrol, but check before you set off.
South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, check oil and water and tire pressure and, if necessary, clean the windscreen – for which he or she will expect a tip of two or three rand.

When you arrive - standing in qeues

Hey, here is a sneaky tip to get past the customs qeue at the airport, follow the red light. Most people will be standing in the green light qeue, i.e "nothing to declare", the thing is you can also have "nothing to declare" in the red queue (i can't figure out the spelling of that word). Anyway just go down the red section and tell them you are not a sa resident, I am a resident and I always use this route, Of course I was entering after 6 months of being out in Australia whenever I returned so I was technically not a sa-resident for tax purposes but fact is i still went through the red queue because its much quicker.

Duty-free allowances:
Cigarettes 400Tobacco - 250g
Alcoholic bev.'s - 1 liter
Cigars 50Wine 2 liters
Perfume 50mlEau de Toilette - 250mlGifts, souvenirs and all other goods - R500

Green Channel
No commercial or restricted goods and within duty-free allowance.
Customs Charges
Pay duty (an average of 20%) on items over allowed limit before leaving Customs hall.

If you need more detailed information you can download this document from the sars website:-

http://www.sars.gov.za/brochures/customs%20-%20Travel%20Info.pdf

Great video