A LASTING LEGACY THAT TRANSCENDS THE GLORY
OF VICTORY
Date of Release: 20 July 2010
BYLINE: Cpl Ally Rakoma
Photos: Mr Thabo Shirinda
After all the years of hard work that have
gone into preparing for this landmark occasion
that transcends the glory of victory, the
expectation placed on the SANDF was to ensure
the physical safety of citizens and visitors
during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in support of the
SAPS.
Briefing SA Soldier on the success of
Operation KGWELE, Brig Gen Koos Liebenberg, the
Joint Task Force Commander, reported that
Operation KGWELE had served as a good example of
how interoperability played an important role in
bringing together the different role-players to
the benefit of the nation’s safety.
“So far, Operation KGWELE has been a huge
success. People want to feel safe in the
knowledge that somewhere someone is taking care
of their well-being. They want to know that
SANDF as their Shield has the capability,
technology and know-how to control who enters
our country at harbours, airports and other
ports of entry”.
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Brig Gen Koos Liebenberg, the Joint Task Force Commander explaining the success of Exercise KGWELE.
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Col Lamla Malotana, the Chief of Staff(left), highlighting areas of the security plans to Brig Gen Johan Liebenberg.
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Maj Jaco Venter, SO2 GIS, and Capt Dippies Dippenaar, Regional GIS Commander, analysing geographical areas and map data for the effective execution of |
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Host Cities
Asked about the successful initiatives
instituted at the host cities and nationwide,
Brig Gen Liebenberg responded that during the
FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2009, all the
security measures were put in place to ensure a
safe and secure tournament.
“The Confederations Cup was a forerunner to
the 2010 World Cup and assisted us to hone
security skills jointly with the SAPS to
highlight aspects of the safety plans that
needed further workahead leading to the World
Cup. The National Joint Operation Centre (NATJOC)
co-ordinated the Provincial Joint Operation
Centre (PROVJOC) centrally, which comprised
three provincial centres, viz in Gauteng, North
West and Free State. We had been preparing and
anticipated different scenarios during Exercise
SHIELD, i.e. integrated airspace control, sea
control, emergency simulations, chemical or
biological radiation incidents and nuclear
explosives”, he said.
He went on to explain that interoperability
between Services and Divisions was important, as
we had to be able to detect threats in order to
protect. “Integrated systems, support,
evaluation tactics and operating procedures
provided the winning edge to secure the World
Cup”.
Lt Gen André Pruis, from, the SAPS and
Chairperson of the Joint Operational Committee
further noted that the World Cup is the biggest
tournament ever hosted in Africa. The safety
plan was put into operation ain all provinces
and host cities.
“The joint interoperability of the security
organs of the State and Government Departments
is a moment in our history that demonstrated our
ability to come together to put the country’s
interest first. Interpol member states had
pledged to assist us. We paid special attention
to crack down on organised crime syndicates,
drug and human trafficking. The vast majority of
our security forces deployed for the soccer
spectacle were trained to deal with unruly
crowds, hooliganism as we4ll as specialised
units responsible for airspace control, counter
terrorism and maritime safety”.
He hopes that interoperability and
integration of State capacity of all Government
departments will continue even after the world
cup.
Access Control
What plans were in place to cope with the
influx of visitors to South Africa?
He explained that access control was critical
in a world where criminal syndicates are seemed
to be around every corner. “The SANDF placed
special patrols along the country’s borders to
work together with the SAPS, NIA and government
departments. We worked cohesively to reach
common objectives. with INTERPOL. Through our
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) we were
able to analyse geographical areas, review risks
and undertake countermeasures. We also used the
latest technological devices to screen the
passports of visitors at the ports of entry”. | 
