Interpol onside for 2010 SWC
2010-02-04 19:27
Durban - Interpol will have an office in South Africa during the World Cup, Police Commissioner Bheki Cele said in Durban on Thursday.
“An Interpol office will be established in South Africa for the period leading up to the World Cup and for the duration of the operation,” he told journalists after a Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) meeting.
World policing body Interpol would provide technological assistance, such as passport control mobile units. These would be used to detect fake passport and any other discrepancies.
Cele said under the leadership of secretary general Ronald Noble, Interpol had thrown its weight behind South Africa and was channelling all available resources into achieving a safe World Cup.
Expertise
SARPCCO countries had resolved to send their officers to South Africa during the soccer tournament and share skills, resources, strategies and crime-fighting expertise.
“Noting the safety and security concerns it is directed that member countries deploy police officers to work on semi/permanent duties for the FIFA world cup in South Africa,” Cele said.
On February 18 Cele would visit Zurich, Switzerland with his team for a meeting with police chiefs from participating countries.
The team would then brief Southern African Development Community police chiefs on further preparations.
Countries represented at the SARPCCO meeting included Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Lesotho, Namibia and Congo. Cele is the chairperson of the organisation.
- SAPA