No terrorist threat to world cup in South Africa: Interpol

JOHANNESBURG - There is no terrorist or hooliganism threat directly linked to the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa in June, Interpol has said.

There is no doubt that South Africa will be safe during the upcoming world cup, and to date no terrorist threat has been directly linked to the 2010 spectacle, Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble was quoted as saying by BuaNews Wednesday.

Noble, who is in the country to assess the security plan with special focus on entry points, ahead of the world cup in June, said all Interpol member states have pledged to support South Africa host a safe and secure tournament.

“In our database, we’ve not yet found any terrorist or hooliganism threats directly linked to the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” he said.

Interpol will use sophisticated devices to screen the passports of visitors who will be streaming into all South African ports of entry.

This is not only aimed at denying entry to people posing security threat, but to crack down on organised crime, drug and human trafficking, he said.

All 32 participating teams will have representatives at the event to share their respective country’s security information, he said.

Meanwhile, South African Police Deputy Commissioner Andre Pruis said the country is ready to deal with any form of hooliganism during the world cup.

“We are ready to deal with any form of hooliganism during the event. We’ve been working closely with France, Britain and the Netherlands to furnish us with information of individuals who might embark on actions of hooliganism,” he said.

More than 8,000 police officers have been trained to deal with unruly crowds and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will patrol the country’s borders during the international event, he said.