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| South Africa marks 200-day countdown to 2010 World Cup
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Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) -
Sunday, 22 Nov., marked the 200-day countdown t
o the 2010 World Cup,
to be held in South Africa, and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa used the occasion
to unveil a comprehensive security
plan to ensure the safety of visitors during the tournament.
Mthethwa said the plan, which includes addressing terror threats and hooliganism
, had been endorsed by world soccer's governing body, FIFA.
In addition, countries competing in the tournament will send their own specially
-trained police officers to assist with language and cultural differences and to
support local police.
He said about R640 million has been earmarked for the deployment of 41,000 extra
police officers for the tournament.
This will be made up of 31,000 permanent members and 10,000 part-time reservists
.
Meanwhile, plans are well underway to create special courts dedicated to handlin
g crimes committed during the tournament, in order to speed up the judicial proc
e
ss, particularly
for cases involving foreigners.
Justice department spokesperson Tlali Tlali said the initiative would see 54 cou
rts operating in all nine host cities for 15 hours a day from 28 May to 25 July.
Judges, lawyers, prosecutors, interpreters and volunteers will also receive spec
ial training for the World Cup courts.
In other developments, the city of Cape Town this past weekend announced plans f
or a carnival to coincide with the 2010 Final Draw in two weeks time.
Mayor Dan Plato said a day-long festival would be held in the city centre, where
the public can view the ceremony on giant screens.
The annual switching on of Cape Townâ?s festive lights will kickstart the weekl
ong celebrations.
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| Cape Town - 23/11/2009 |
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