The safety and security sector in Mpumalanga is gearing itself up for a safe 2010 FIFA World Cup by testing its readiness to handle any safety and security matters during the international events in June.
As part of the FIFA guarantees that the international tournament should be safe in all the provinces, Mpumalanga as one of the host provinces will stage dry-run games to test safety and security systems.
The semi-finals will be played at Thulamahashe new stadium on Saturday 13 March 2010. The local teams are MP Highlanders, Benfica FC, Acorn Bush/ ELB Movers and Ximungwe United.
Thulamashe is one of the three public viewing sites for Mpumalanga during the World Cup.
The event is expected to create hype for the community around the host city, Mbombela while experiencing the effectiveness of safety and security plans by all the stakeholders such the police, fire and emergency services, disaster management and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) among others.
During the campaign, the cluster is expected to educate soccer fanatics about possible crimes to be committed such as human trafficking and prostitution.
Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Sibongile Manana, says the sector is ready to provide maximum security during the World Cup.
“Mpumalanga is ready; the safety and security cluster is also ready for the World Cup. All we need is to engage on a number of exercises to test the readiness.
“We were unfortunate not to host the Confederations Cup last year; this trial will help us go a long way in identifying challenges before the whole world lands in Mpumalanga,” says MEC Manana.
She says the exercise will also assist the cluster to prepare itself in terms of crowd control and other related security matters.
The event will take place as follows:
Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010
Time: 08h00
Venue: Thulamahashe Stadium
All media is invited
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by: Department for Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
9 March 2010
Source: Department for Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/safety_and_security/)
