Police intensifies safety plans for soccer tournament

By Ofentse Mokae
07 June 2010

With only four days left before kick-off to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the South African Police Service in the Western Cape through its Provincial Joint Operational Centre has intensified their plans to ensure the safety of visitors and locals at private and public spaces throughout the Province.

Police have urged locals and visitors alike to exercise caution and vigilance at all times.

Fans are expected to flood public spaces such as airports, hotel establishments, ATMs, tourist attractions, public viewing areas etc.
The Provincial Joint Operational Centre will comprise of all security law enforcement agencies, emergency services.

Police say the centre will act as a provincial command centre manned on a 24 hour basis, communicating with all the relevant role-players in the Western Cape on what is happening on an ongoing basis.

It will also facilitate proactive continuous engagement with various role-players on crime trends and all other security matters.

All occurring incidents will be monitored, information shared and joint operations coordinated and monitored by the center to ensure that a speedy response and effective integrated approach is maintained throughout.

The police’s Warrant Officer November Filander shares some of the safety measures which visiting tourists are requested to take:

“Never leave your luggage unattended, unless it is locked away in your room. Store valuables in the safety deposit box, keep your room locked, keep your mobile phone, handbag, camera and other valuable items with you and do not leave them unattended”.