Mpumalanga Security Sector is ready for 2010 Fifa World Cup

15 March 2010 

Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison Head of Department, Mr Isaiah Khoza, says it is all systems go in terms of safety and security for the World Cup.

The department had dry-run games at Thulamahashe, Bushbuckridge on Saturday to test its readiness on safety and security.

An incident-free event saw a strong crowd attend the soccer semi-finals of four local teams.  

Khoza said all safety and security sector stakeholders’ plans were ready for implementation during the international soccer tournament. The plans included the resources and personnel.

He appealed to the community to assist the police to ensure safety of foreign and domestic tourists who are expected to flock into the country for the World Cup.

“If we fail now to deliver, we would have failed many African’s generations, and they will question our integrity long after we had gone from earth,” said Khoza.

He said that many detractors have ruled out South Africa’ s ability to deliver a world-class soccer tournament, citing crime as one of the reasons.

“We must not fall into the trap of our detractors, because they will blow small incidents out of proportion in an effort to justify the perceptions that crime is rife in our country. 

“There will be criminal elements who will take advantage of the soccer spectacle to commit crime and embarrass our country,” said Khoza. 

He explained that such people should not be allowed into the country as they would tarnish South Africa’s image to the international community.  

Although Mpumalanga did not host the Confederation Cup games because the stadium had not yet been completed, Khoza said, the people can now celebrate that the province is ready for a safe World Cup. 

He announced that more dry-run games would be hosted at Nkangala and Gert Sibande regions where there are Public Viewing Areas.

Four Bushbuckridge top soccer teams battled it up on the pitch until Benfica FC thrashed ArconBush / ELB Movers 3 – 0 on penalties. 

Enquiries:

Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450

Issued by Mpumalanga Department for Safety, Security and Liaison

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