The ministers responsible for police affairs in the Southern African region met at an extraordinary meeting to assess the safety and security readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Police in South Africa, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, as the current chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation. The ministers from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe participated in the session.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) presented to the meeting a comprehensive security plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The presentation, which was endorsed by the ministers, reiterated South Africa's readiness from a security perspective.
The ministers reaffirmed a need for ongoing cooperation between member countries in ensuring the safety and security for the event. The meeting's view on security is premised on the understanding that promoting mutual friendship amongst the people of the region and nations of the world is paramount to the provision of safety and security.
The ministers concurred and congratulated South Africa's security plan. An affirmation was expressed that the 2010 FIFA World Cup provides a global platform on which the nations and peoples of the world come together, to reaffirm Africa’s common humanity and destiny.
Echoing the message of the former President Nelson Mandela, the ministers agreed that although the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, in essence this is an African event. Its success shall therefore be the whole continent's success.
The meeting noted progress that has been made in the region around transnational crimes. It further emphasised a need to continue with the intensity of operations to curb transnational crimes, including firearm proliferation, motor vehicle crime, drug and human trafficking.
The ministers further expressed their satisfaction with the existing cooperation amongst police chiefs that includes joint training. This resulted in numerous successes registered in the fight against transnational crimes in the region.
All these factors reconfirm a need for a multipronged approach in the fight against crime, combining aspects of crime prevention, crime combating, the improvement of socio-economic conditions, strengthening of the spirit of ubuntu and human solidarity among citizens.
In conclusion, the ministers stressed that this type of security arrangement should continue beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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Issued by: Ministry of Police
9 April 2010
