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Interpol and SAPS join forces for World Cup

20100331 AMU.NEWS. Interpol General Secretary Ronald K Noble at a press briefiing in Intercontinental Hotel , OR Tambo International Airport yesterday. PIC: ANTONIO MUCHAVE.31/03/2010. © SOWETAN
20100331 AMU.NEWS. Interpol General Secretary Ronald K Noble at a press briefiing in Intercontinental Hotel , OR Tambo International Airport yesterday. PIC: ANTONIO MUCHAVE.31/03/2010. © SOWETAN

THE partnership between South African security forces and the Interpol will ensure the safety of the World Cup, Deputy National Commissioner André Pruis said.

Pruis told journalists at the Intercontinental Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, yesterday that police were leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the visitors and locals during the tournament.

General secretary of Interpol Ronald Noble was also present to outline how his officers would work with the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force and the Directorate for Priority Prime Investigation during the World Cup.

"It will be the first time that Interpol officers get integrated with local police during a tournament and not function separately. We have had a series of meetings with Interpol reviewing our security and improving our intelligence database to threats like terrorism.

"At the moment there is no threat of terrorist attack for the tournament but we are ready for anything.

"We have identified certain port entries, cities and team base camps and stadium security where Interpol officers and SAPS will be deployed," Pruis said.

He said various teams would scout areas around the country for any suspicious vehicles or persons.

Police will have General Packet Radio Service and fingerprint reading technology to screen any suspicious persons.

Pruis said some of the Interpol officers would be wearing their uniform while others would not.

"We have been working closely with the Hawks on dealing with issues of drug and human trafficking."

Noble said: "Passengers arriving at ports of entry will be screened to check if they are not using passports which have been reported missing in our database.

"We have a database of individuals who have criminal records pertaining to big events and also a list of people who have been involved in hooliganism."

Noble said identity cards would be made for people visiting which will stipulate if the person poses a threat to the event in any way.

He was also scheduled to meet National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele to discuss more security plans.

Pruis said more than 8000 police officers had undergone special training for the World Cup.

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