Grahamstown residents have been voicing their concern over police presence in town over the National
Arts Festival and at the public viewing area (PVA) where World Cup matches are being screened. Some police officers have been deployed to Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, leaving the Grahamstown police station severly understaffed.
Grahamstown residents have been voicing their concern over police presence in town over the National
Arts Festival and at the public viewing area (PVA) where World Cup matches are being screened. Some police officers have been deployed to Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, leaving the Grahamstown police station severly understaffed.
However, attempts to confirm this information was unsuccessful as Grahamstown Police spokesperson Inspector Sherolene Williams said they are not allowed to reveal any information regarding the matter and
referred Grocott’s Mail to Brigadier Miranda Mills who is based at the Port Elizabeth SAPF headquarters.
Mills said “I am not supposed to reveal any of that information regarding numbers of officers deployed to the media because of security reasons.”
She did however confirm that there were police officers from Grahamstown that were sent to Nelson Mandela Bay to assist with security.
This year’s National Arts Festival is expected to attract more than 150 000 visitors, so security will be essential to curb crime and reduce any incidents of violence.
Williams was quick to defend the shortage of police officers, saying “There is no reason whatsoever that the Festival and the World Cup celebrations will not be safe, our officers will be there patrolling, making sure that everything is fine.”
She also said that they have received assistance from police stations all over the Eastern Cape in the past years who would send their officers and vans to ensure the smooth running of the Festival but they were unable to get any this year since many police officers have been sent to Port Elizabeth.
She then reiterated that she could not say how many police officers from Grahamstown had been sent to PE. The SAPF appears to be making sure that World Cup celebrations proceed with no hiccups.
According to Makana Municipality 2010 project co-ordinator Jeff Budaza, there are between 40 to 45 police officers stationed outside Miki Yili stadium to body-search fans at the entrance to the PVA.
There is also a reporting station where fans can report any disruptions. The SAPF members are assisted by 50 members of the Community Policing Forum and are in charge of general security inside.
Fans are not allowed to bring in any form of a weapon or item that may endanger other spectators. Since Tuesday, alcohol is being allowed into the stadium and is being sold there but it is a glass-free area and therefore fans are only allowed to use plastic containers.
Food is being sold inside by registered suppliers. With such being measures being taken it is promising to be a hassle-free celebration and if the SAPF stick to their promises the public can “feel the fever” in safety.
