2010 soccer world cup
11 February 2009
February is known as a Safety and Security Month dedicated to put more
emphasis on community mobilisation in the fight against crime and strengthening
crime fighting initiatives in the province. With only a few hundred days to the
2010 soccer world cup and the province being one of the hosts, the Safety Month
programme will be used to showcase state of readiness for the 2010 soccer world
cup in the province on safety and security matters.
"It is highly important that when people descend on this province to enjoy
world cup festivities, they feel safe and we will use this month and the
remaining period to intensify our efforts of making this province a safe
destination for 2010 and beyond," MEC Mhlahlo says.
The focus will be on mass community mobilisation against crime and
strengthening of existing crime fighting initiatives in the province. MEC for
Housing and Safety and Liaison Thobile Mhlahlo will during this month embark on
a series of outreaches as part of a mass mobilisation plan on communities and
also visit the 2010 sites where South African Police officials will be
deployed. "We will intensify our efforts to fight crime and also ensure that
our security preparations for the world cup are on track. This month will be
used a testing ground for our preparations."
The outreach will include visits to the newly upgraded Mdantsane Police
stations, hosting debates at schools on strategies to deal with crime, holding
Safety Imbizos and a site visit to the 2010 soccer stadium. The safety
programme will conclude with a safety and security 2010 summit to be held at
the host city (Nelson Mandela Bay) in March this year. "We will also encourage
young people through debates to come up with solutions they deem incumbent to
fight crime. This is crucial because most criminal incidents are perpetrated by
young people," Mhlahlo said.
In an effort to address the recent xenophobic related incidents in the
province, talks have been held between the banks, home affairs, South African
Police Service (SAPS) to provide urgent solutions to the foreign nationals
problems. Making banking services accessible to the foreign nationals has been
identified as an urgent solution to the problem.
Currently talks between the major banks, home affairs, SAPS and other
departments are at an advanced stage to make banking services available
immediately to the foreign nationals. It is expected that this initiative will
reduce attacks on foreign national who have not been utilising banking services
and instead keep loads of cash in their shops or homes making them prey to
robberies.
Contact:
Lwandile Sicwetsha
Cell: 071 671 1770
E-mail: lwandile.sicwetsha@dhlgta.ecape.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Housing and Safety and Liaison, Eastern Cape
Provincial Government
11 February 2009
