Despite Violence, Games Officials Promise Safety in Brazil

Games officials in Brazil are trying to clam nerves about safety issues during the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro amid violent attacks in one of the city's most notorious slums.

Brazilian authorities have claimed that recent attacks by drugs gangs are a desperate response at police efforts to take control of their turf in more than a dozen slum areas.

The local organising committee of the Rio Olympics also promised a trouble-free games.

"The Rio 2016 committee has full confidence in the security plans which have been elaborated jointly with the three levels of government (municipal, state and federal) and presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," it said.

Soccer-Brazil says Rio violence will not affect World Cup
Reuters
November 26, 2010

Favela Cleanup Program Spurs Violence in Rio

Violence has erupted in Rio de Janeiro as the state expands on a program to try to clean up the city's crime-riddled favelas. The impact is intended to refresh the city's image ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

Rio authorities say the violence is in reaction to a two-year-old policing project, known as the "pacification" program, to root out organized drug-fueled crime by occupying favelas (or shanty towns). The program involves setting up heavy policing units to reclaim slums from gangs, and authorities say it has "pacified" 13 favelas since its inception.

To supporters it has been a one-of-a-kind success. For skeptics it is smoke and mirrors. The answer generally depends on where you live.

Rash of Rio violence rattles even hardened residents in Brazil's World Cup host city
The Christian Science Monitor
November 24, 2010

Brazil Tries to Calm Concerns About Crime Ahead of World Cup

Amid recent violence, officials in Brazil are insisting that the 2014 World Cup will be a safe event.

Justice Minister Luiz Paulo Barreto made the comments as Rio de Janeiro tries to contain a surge in violence, with gang members blocking roads and setting cars on fire in the city expected to host the World Cup final four years from now.

Barreto downplayed the recent concerns, saying security will reach its maximum level during the World Cup.

"We will be at an advanced level, with the police properly prepared," he said in the opening of a three-day meeting with government officials, local authorities and FIFA executives in the nation's capital. "The competition will take place in an environment of a lot of peace and tranquility."

Brazil insists 2014 World Cup will be peaceful
USA Today
November 23, 2010

Johannesburg Crime Down During World Cup

Crime is markedly down in Johannesburg during the World Cup, which has some locals calling for the city to sustain its increased police presence after the World Cup ends.

Facing unprecedented global attention, South Africa dedicated more than 40,000 police officers to World Cup security. But many have been paid overtime, which will be unsustainable in the long term.

[Clive Humphrey, managing director of ADT in South Africa's northern region], called on the government to consolidate the gains. "We're just desperately hopeful the levels of policing to sustain the visibility can be maintained. If they don't, we all fear crime will return to the levels we saw before the World Cup."

World Cup kicks violent South African crime into touch
The Guardian
July 9, 2010

Crime an Issue in South Africa, But Not as Bad as it Seems

Crime is one of the big issues facing South Africa as it prepares to host the World Cup. But despite its reputation as one of the world's most dangerous countries, the reality is much less widespread than most media reports suggest.

It's a complicated picture, says Johan Burger, senior researcher in the crime and justice programme at South Africa's Institute for Security Studies.

The first thing is that the South African murder rate is going down and not up.

"Contrary to what many people think, the murder rate, while still extremely high, is down by about 44% since 1995. That's a huge decrease."

The geographical and social spread of murder might also be relevant to visitors.

How dangerous is South Africa?
BBC
May 17, 201

Cape Town's Baboon Robbery Threat to Increase During Cup

Baboon-jacking is expected to increase in Cape Town during the World Cup, where visitors in unlocked cars are likely to become victims to Fred, the alpha male leader of a 26-member troop of protected baboons that routinely enters and robs cars.

"Every day, it happens," said Mark Duffell, leader of a team that tracks Fred's 26 member troop as they forage between Cape Point and the outskirts of the picturesque Simon's Town naval base and penguin colony.

"He'll hit four or five cars in like five minutes. Fred's
operation is to open car doors. He leaves normally with a handbag. Until he's satisfied he's got all the food, don't try get the bag back."

Cape Town on alert for baboon-jackers
Mail & Guardian
May 4, 2010

South African Security Officials Declare Readiness

South Africa's police forces are touting their readiness to deal with criminal activity large and small during the World Cup. The country has invested nearly $100 million in security updates for the event. However, high crime remains a concern.

"We are ready. We were ready yesterday," national police commissioner Bheki Cele said as the host country showed off part of the $89 million worth of security equipment it has bought to keep fans safe at soccer's biggest tournament.

Police minister Nathi Mthethwa watched as South Africa's police paraded water cannons, boats, jet skis, motorcycles and heavy duty emergency disaster vehicles through Cape Town's main square before the display at Greenpoint Stadium.

South Africa shows its security muscle for WCup
USA Today
April 29, 2010

Threats and Violence the Unfortunate Theme at World Cup

Threats of terrorism and the recent ambush of the Togo National team at the African Cup of Nations are testing the will of some nations and players who are expected to play in this year's World Cup. Though FIFA officials and South African locals are trying to dispel rumors of violence and danger, the prevailing feeling is that security is not a guarantee.

Since terror is represented by words as well as bombs or bullets, we can expect more of this crossfire of rhetoric as the global focus on South Africa intensifies.

Adebayor’s withdrawal is no doubt chastened by his stated anger that not only did the security forces fail to protect his team in an area where separatists were known to pose a threat, but the African soccer confederation subsequently barred Togo from the next two African Cup of Nations.

Undercurrents of Violence at the World Cup
The New York Times
April 14, 2010

Awkward Timing for Violence and Racial Tension in South Africa

Recent violence and racial tension in South Africa has created a big problem for locals trying to assure international visitors that safety will not be a major concern during the World Cup.

To add to the torture for World Cup officials while the spotlight is fixed on South Africa, municipal workers have declared an indefinite strike over wages, threatening the chaotic scenes seen last year when rubbish was strewn over the streets. South Africa’s biggest labour federation has threatened strikes during the tournament to protest against big hikes in power prices.
All of this illustrates the point that countries or cities staging major world events suddenly become fixed in an often uncomfortable glare of world attention as the big day approaches. But even by these standards, South Africa looks unfortunate. World Cup officials, led by chief organiser Danny Jordaan, have spent literally years fending off suggestions that soccer fans will be in mortal danger in South Africa, which has one of the globe’s highest rates of violent crime. Jordaan and others have repeated a familiar mantra– the country has staged 150 sports and other events since the end of apartheid with little problem, millions of tourists have enjoyed South Africa’s many attractions for years without major criminal attacks and protecting a finite event is a lot less complex than overcoming the national crime wave–especially since 40,000 police have been mobilised to do only that.

Violence and tension come at worst time for World Cup
April 12, 2010

Bombing Threatened During World Cup

Reputed terrorist group al Qaeda has released a statement suggesting it will attack a game at the World Cup.

"How amazing could the match United States vs. Britain be when broadcasted live on air at a stadium packed with spectators when the sound of an explosion rumbles through the stands, the whole stadium is turned upside down and the number of dead bodies are in their dozens and hundreds, Allah willing," reads a statement the group published in a recent issue of the Jihadi online magazine Mushtaqun Lel Jannah (Longing to Paradise).

Qaeda Group Threatens to Attack World Cup
CBS
April 7, 2010

Supporters of Slain White Supremacist Back Down on Violence Threat

Supporters of slain white supremacist Eugene Terre'Blanche have called off a pledge to exact violent revenge ahead of the World Cup for their leader's death. Security officials in South Africa had been trying to clam international nerves over the prospect of violence during the Cup.

The far-right Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) movement had initially sworn to avenge the killing of its leader, Eugene Terre'Blanche, on Saturday, warning fans to think twice about visiting "a land of murder".

But today, Pieter Steyn, a general in the AWB, said: "Our membership is very, very shocked, angry and horrified. In the heat of the moment, certain statements were made and I would like to retract those statements.

"It is the philosophy of the AWB that no member will engage in any form of violence, intimidation, racial slandering or anything of that matter. It is, however, very difficult to contain our members and keep them calm."

Eugene Terre'Blanche supporters withdraw threat of violence ahead of World Cup
Guardian
April 5, 2010

Officials Say Murder of White Supremacist is No Concern for World Cup

The murder of right-wing leader and noted white supremacist Eugene Terre'Blanche should not cause any concern about the safety of the World Cup, according to officials and event organizers.

Lawrence Schlemmer, vice president of the SA Institute of Race Relations, told The Associated Press on Monday that the tournament can help ease tensions in the country.

"There is no reason why these things, as tragic as they are, should affect the safety of fans or players at the World Cup," Schlemmer said. "The World Cup and sport, as it is supposed to, channels passions and reconciles conflict."

Murder to have 'little impact on SWC'
News 24
April 5, 2010

Interpol Officials OK South African Security Preparations

The international police agency Interpol has given high marks to South Africa for its securioty and crime-fighting preparations leading up to the World Cup.

"What I have seen so far is very positive. South Africa can be proud of the level of security that is in place," Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble said.

"My opinion is that South African police services is doing all that is in its power to ensure that South Africa is as safe as possible during the World Cup."

Interpol was in South Africa to assess security plans ahead of the tournament, where it will work alongside South African police and provide links to its database of lost and stolen passports.

World Cup security gets the nod from Interpol
Independent Online
March 31, 2010

Spectre of Crime in Johannesburg Hard to Evade

Locals are calling on fellow Johannesburg residents to keep the peace during the World Cup in order for the city to improve its reputation when it plays host to international visitors for the World Cup.

Many of the expected 450,000 visiting fans will also head for "Jozi" because 21 of the 64 games are in the region and that will also give the city a golden chance to make an impact.

The downside, however, is that many of those visitors might be targeted by those who put crime above the need to make this a trouble-free World Cup.

Those visitors, whether they be from England, the United States, Germany or Brazil, will have to get used to being told to take taxis instead of a short walk, to not go out alone at night and to leave their valuables in their hotels.

Jozi must lose crime image for World Cup
Independent Online
March 29, 2010

'Not About Security', But Army Will Be in Full Force During Cup

Despite declaring that army personnel would not be allowed to take leave during the World Cup, South African Army Chief Solly Shoke is trying to make the argument that safety concerns over the World Cup have been overblown.

Members of the army would not be granted leave during the Fifa World Cup tournament, SA Army Chief Solly Shoke said on Thursday.

"All leave has been cancelled. All members of the SA Army will be on high alert," Shoke told the media during a briefing in Pretoria.

However Shoke said high alert was a norm for large events and was not a result of any perceived disruptions.

'This World Cup is not about security'
Independent Online
March 25, 2010

Breachable Border May Be Security Concern During Cup

Defense analysts are expressing concerns about terrorist threats during the World Cup because of South Africa's porous border, which will be easy to breach for anyone intending to pose an attack.

"The World Cup will be a real problem as we have no way of controlling anyone coming through a beach or a land border," defence analyst Helmoed Heitman said during a border security conference organised by DefenceWeb, a security news service in Midrand.

"If someone wants to cross into SA it's not very difficult to do."

South Africa: SA's Borders 'Vulnerable' for World Cup
Business Day
March 18, 2010

Inside South Africa's World Cup Stadia and Host Cities

The Guardian's David Smith visits the new World Cup stadia in South Africa. He brings this audio profile of the country's readiness and the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

He talks with Local Organizing Committee head Danny Jordaan about the significance of the World Cup, and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille about Cape Town's safety during the Cup.

Football World Cup preview: 'Durban - one of the most spectacular stadiums in the world'
Guardian
March 17, 2010

Former Taxi Drivers Home Set on Fire in BRT Retaliation

the home of a Rea Vaya bus rapid transit driver in Johannesburg was petrol-bombed recently in what is being called an attack from the taxi industry. Taxi drivers in town are upset about the new BRT system taking their passengers. The owner of the home is a former taxi driver who recently took a job as a bus driver.

Four policemen guarded the house, which was cordoned off.

"This is about BRT," Mazibuko said when a police officer investigating the attack asked if he had had an argument with anyone recently. "But where do you get in? What does this have to do with you?" the officer asked, to which Mazibuko replied: "I don't know. Maybe it's just jealousy."

The attack took place on the last day of a two-day taxi strike against the implementation of BRT on feeder routes.

Rea Vaya bus driver's house petrol-bombed
Independent Online
March 18, 2010

Personal Security Costs Expected to Rise Over $1,000 Per Day

Private security firms are hoping to cash in during the World Cup, with prices for personal bodyguards and protection during the World Cup ranging up to R7,500 per day (~$1,000 USD).

Chris Beukes, the chief executive of TSU Protection Services, said a diplomat, celebrity or wealthy business executive could pay anything between R3 500 and R7 500 a day for a bodyguard, depending on the individual's profile.

Since the beginning of the month, he said, his company had received requests from high-profile executives for protection services during the World Cup.

World Cup security: High rollers to dig deep
Cape Argus
March 16, 2010

UK and SA to Join Police Forces During Cup

South Africa and the United Kingdom have made a deal to jointly handle policing during the World Cup, which is expected to increase the amount of police on the ground during the event -- an issue that had worried many in South Africa and beyond.

The agreement on police co-operation includes intelligence sharing, measures taken in the UK to stop hooligans travelling to South Africa and the roles and remit of each country's police forces, the department said in a statement.

SA, UK sign World Cup policing agreement
Independent Online
March 9, 2010