Cele promises border security

2009-09-02 16:02

Johannesburg - Relaxed border controls during next year's Soccer World Cup did not mean relaxed security measures, national Police Commissioner Bheki Cele warned on Wednesday.

"The first African Soccer World Cup will be taking place in South Africa between 11 June and 11 July 2010.

"During this period, border controls are likely to be relaxed to allow the smooth movement of people between and through our countries.

"Although South Africa is a host country, the nature of the event requires that all of our security arrangements should be in a good shape... Crime prevention and reactive capabilities must be on the same standard in all countries," said Cele.

Concentrate on land borders

He was speaking at a Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) meeting in Johannesburg where he took over the reigns from Namibia as chairperson on Wednesday.

Cele said police operations during the 2010 World Cup should not only concentrate on land borders.

"We must extend our operations to the rail, sea and air environments for enhanced co-operation.

"The movement of spectators across our borders will entail not only co-operation between police officials... but also interaction with and between customs officials and departments of home affairs as well as other departments," said Cele.

Strengthening partnerships

The next year was going to require "a lot of sacrifices" from all police chiefs, he said.

"Crime has become a transnational problem which no country, no matter its resource capacity, can solve on its own."

Cele said the region would strengthen partnerships in the next few years and introduce legislation throughout Southern Africa "to attain co-operation".

"All internal and cross-border anti-crime initiatives should be planned in consultation with crime intelligence agencies in order to deal a telling blow against the criminal element and crime syndicates," he said.

- SAPA