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 SecurityThe Government has assured the millions of fans who will be coming to watch the 2010 FIFA World CupTM 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)
1 comment:
Fan preparation in addition to government and FIFA preparation is important to individual safety. Not understanding a country or its conditions increases personal vulnerability. Hopefully, out of country fans are doing some level of personal research before traveling.
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