SA Lacks World Class Security Force Needed For 2010

South Africa needs to rethink its 'short sighted' security strategy for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, according to Sukhi Ghuman, CEO of the security led Octavian Group.

Ghuman, who is just back from a fact finding visit to South Africa with his fellow directors, claims that the country needs to take an holistic assessment of its security strategy for the football tournament - and its private security industry in general.

"The country has plans to recruit and train 30,000 police officers specifically for the task. In my opinion, it should instead be looking to incentivise its existing private security industry to invest and train existing security officers to western security standards.

"This will not only help to service the security needs of the tournament itself, but also leave the country with a more professional, effective security force after the tournament.

"As with any event of this magnitude, the police role is crucial, but why enlist this many new police? They could train up the existing security manpower to work in partnership with the police and armed forces - and have a professionalised security sector after the tournament, which would benefit the country for generations to come.

"South Africa may (and I stress the word 'may') not be such as on obvious terrorist target as India (which is to host the forthcoming Commonwealth Games), but it does have a similar issues with both 'real' and 'perceived' dangers to tourists and visitors.

"'Real' dangers include armed domestic and street crime, whilst 'perceived' dangers are simply the exaggerated amplification of any real threat. The reality is that real or perceived - if these threats are not addressed, they will prevent people visiting, relaxing and importantly spending money. SA should answer its critics by investing in a force that it can be proud of, with motivated, rewarded and well trained security officers.

"The authorities have two choices. They can flood the country with police, which would boost tourist confidence, but enforce negative crime stereotypes and simply provide a visual deterrent during the games and leave the country over-subscribed with police afterwards.

"Alternatively SA can seek ways of working with the private sector to train security companies and officers to work alongside and bolster a slightly increased police presence. This would not only energise a tired and struggling sector, but also create new jobs and careers and perhaps even deter a few people away from crime and into a job in the process."