March 08, 2007, 17:30
South Africa should consider bringing in police from other parts of Africa to help protect tourists and officials during the 2010 soccer World Cup, an African Union (AU) official said. Bience Gawanas, the AU social affairs commissioner, said African nations could provide key services, including policing, to Africa's economic powerhouse as it prepares to host the prestigious tournament.
"We have talked about interpreters, drivers, as well police," Gawanas said. Gawanas said following a news conference in Pretoria, the South African capital to discuss how the continent could benefit from what has been dubbed the African World Cup.
South Africa's high level of violent crime - it has one of the world's worst murder rates - has sparked concerns that fans and athletes could be easy pickings for criminals during games and related events in the nine host cities.
Interpol to help with organisation
Gawanas said it was up to the South African government to decide whether to accept policing and other assistance from its neighbours, but added that it was important that all of Africa be involved in the World Cup.
Employing outside police for the soccer championship is not a new idea.
Germany used foreign officers at the 2006 World Cup due to fears that soccer hooligans and political extremists might disrupt the games. The tournament ended without any serious incidents and became a model for policing of sporting events.
South African security officials have said they plan to use the lessons gleaned from Germany last year.
Jackie Selebi, the police commissioner, said this week the international police organisation Interpol is expected to coordinate the deployment and presence of officers from other countries in Johannesburg and other host cities.
Neighbours offer assistance
Offers of assistance, especially from South Africa's immediate neighbours, have increased in the wake of growing concerns that South Africa has fallen behind in stadium construction and other World Cup-related preparations.
There have been reports that world soccer's governing body, FIFA, would consider moving the tournament to Australia or another country if progress was not made soon. Top FIFA officials have denied any plan to shift the tournament away from South Africa.
South Africa's neighbours also are eager to share in the economic windfall expected from the World Cup. Mozambique already is ramping up its overseas marketing in the hope of luring World Cup tourists to its famed beaches.
The former Portuguese colony, whose capital is about a five-hour drive from Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub, has also floated the idea of hosting a training base camp for one of the international teams that qualify for the World Cup. - Reuters
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