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

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

Cape Town: Where Walking Is An Option

This post from ESPN discusses the poor walking environment in Johannesburg, and the safer and more walkable urban realm of Cape Town.

Cape Town is different. Police and security guards line pedestrian corridors and populate street corners, so that it's possible for people of all races to stroll from pub to club to restaurant after midnight without ever dealing with an automobile.

In the grand scheme of things, that's a recipe for safety. The security of car travel is an illusion here; highway wrecks were a common sight. I counted six in one day early in the tournament, and the tournament opened with a tragedy when Nelson Mandela's 13-year-old great-granddaughter died after the opening concert, the victim of a drunk driver.

A stroll in South Africa -- weird, huh?
ESPN
July 5, 2010

Thanks to urban planning student Linden Weiswerda for the link!

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

German Team Keep 'Unsafe' Hotel Choice

The German National team has decided to keep with its choice of a World Cup home base in Pretoria, despite recent reports of the hotel not meeting FIFA standards.

South African newspaper The Times reported Friday there are safety fears at the hotel complex because plans for renovation work at the four-star The Velmore Hotel, near Pretoria, were not approved by the relevant authorities.

The hotel has reportedly invested 80 million rand (10.8 million US dollars) to meet the standard required by world football's governing body Fifa.

Germans will stay at 'unsafe' World Cup base
Agence France Presse
April 24, 2010

SA Hospitals Ill-Equipped to Handle Major Disaster

A FIFA medical adviser has warned that South Africa's public hospitals are "completely unprepared" to handle a major World Cup-related disaster such as a crowd stampede or riot.

"Hospital disaster plans are actually a disaster," said Professor Efraim Kramer, a Fifa medical officer and adviser to the local organising committee.

Kramer, head of emergency medicine at Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University, told a doctors conference on Wednesday that public hospitals had "absolutely no idea" how to implement disaster management plans because they had not been tested.

In contrast, Kramer said private hospitals, some of the best in the world, were better prepared and had good disaster plans. The South African government says public hospitals would handle at least 70 percent of the World Cup workload.

'Hospitals not ready for WC disaster'
Reuters
April 15, 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

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

Despite Concerns Along the Way, South Africa's Cup Preparations Come Together

This article from The Guardian looks at some of the problems that have plagued South Africa throughout its World Cup preparations, and also some of the successes the country and its event organizers have achieved.

Given the exacting scale of the task set by Fifa to host its landmark tournament, huge progress has been made to produce 10 venues of the required capacity finished on time, a massive road expansion programme, and rail links including new terminals built next to each of the five stadiums specifically built for the tournament. Practically, the competition can definitely go ahead, a prospect that has not always been certain as construction was punctuated by workers striking over pay. Security in a country sporting ugly crime statistics has been a persistent concern which, together with the fears that the infrastructure would not be ready, led to Fifa reportedly preparing contingency plans to move the event.

South Africa has responded with the promise of a blanket deployment of police and security officers – with 41,000 policing the World Cup alone – and the army and Interpol closely involved. Fans will be given precise instructions about which well-trodden paths not to stray from.

World Cup 2010: Will £800m buy positive images of South Africa?
Guardian
April 1, 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

Durban Installs Shark Nets To Improve Beach Safety During World Cup

Tourism officials in Durban are installing extra shark nets to prevent shark attacks at the beaches during the World Cup.

[Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu] Mabuyakhulu joined a team of KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board members to install shark nets on Durban beaches to protect bathers from shark attacks.

He said KwaZulu-Natal beaches were more than ready for World Cup visitors with 17 triple nets to protect bathers from shark attacks.

KZN beaches ready for World Cup visitors
The Citizen
March 18, 2010

Drunken Fans Face Arrests at KZN Fan Parks

Drunken fans will be arrested on sight at fan parks near the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, according to police officials. They plan to have a zero-tolerance policy for drunken fans who pose a risk of drowning.

“There will be fan parks around the beaches, and on the North Beach (Durban), but I must insist that no drunk fan will be allowed to enter the beach,” [MEC for economic development and tourism Mike] Mabuyakhulu said.

“The police will be there and so will volunteers and marshals, because we all know how dangerous it is for a drunk person to go on to the beach.”

‘No drunks at the fan parks’
Sowetan
March 19, 2010

South Africa Safer Than Spain and Germany for British Tourists

South Africa is safer for British tourists than Spain or Germany, according to a report from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. British tourists are expected to be the largest group of foreign visitors to South Africa for the World Cup.

The report, which examined the behaviour of British tourists from April, 2008, to March, 2009, measured how much help Brits needed from their different consulates abroad.

And the results may surprise you. Of the 451 580 Britons who visited South Africa in the 12-month period - and a further 212 000 living in the country - there were 23 arrests, 23 hospital admissions and 48 deaths, due to either accidents, natural causes or murder. No rape or sexual assault cases were reported.

SA safer for tourists than Spain or Germany
The Star
March 25, 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

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