Security net tightens ahead of Brics summit
Force of 3 000 aims to ensure safety of leaders and other delegates in Durban
DURBAN ’ S city centre is to be locked down by a joint operation of 3 000 law enforcement officers and soldiers for the fifth summit of the Brics — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — that begins tomorrow. The joint operation includes 113 soldiers and more than 500 city metro cops.
Some 5 000 delegates will be flying into King Shaka International Airport today ahead of the two-day summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian head of state Dilma Rousseff, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and newly elected Chinese President Xi Jinping are all expected to arrive by Tuesday.
Yesterday, national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega said it was crucial that the international event was hosted without any incident.
“South Africa has a reputation for hosting events of such a magnitude. We are not newcomers to this game,” she said, adding that “all necessary security measures are in place”.
Roads around the Hilton Hotel in the city centre and the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, north of the city, have been cordoned off.
National police spokeswoman Brigadier Sally de Beer said the highlevel security operation also included customs officials, members of the explosive and public order policing units, the tactical response team and the national intervention unit.
We are not newcomers to this game. All necessary security measures are in place
“Many of the officers have been brought in from other provinces,” she said.
It was also revealed that heavily armed escorts will be accompanying delegates from the airport to their hotels, guest houses and lodges on a tightly guarded route.
According to the city’s metro police, police will be manning all onand off-ramps to ensure the security of the route from the airport.
The Chinese delegation will include China ’ s first lady, Peng Liyuan, who made her first official public appearance when landing in Russia alongside her husband.
The couple arrived in Moscow two days ago on Jinping’s first foreign visit since he assumed the presidency earlier this month.
After the summit, the Chinese couple will travel to Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, according to Chinese media reports.
The Russian delegation, which will include Putin, is expected to land in Durban with its own large security contingent.
A Russian training vessel, STS Pallada, occupied by a crew of 70 naval cadets, also docked in Durban’s harbour on Thursday as part of Putin’s entourage.
The 354-feet three-masted frigate, which was built in 1989 and is record- ed in the Guinness World Records as the fastest sailing ship in the world, will sail for Port Louis in Mauritius on Thursday.
Durban’s International Convention Centre, where the summit will be hosted, has been declared off-limits to the public.
Chief executive Julie-May Ellingson said: “The ICC’s security company has been working closely with the police service . . . The ICC complex will be an entirely secure island site and only fully accredited delegates will be able to gain access.”
The centre, which has a seating capacity of 5 200, will be staging a gala dinner on Tuesday hosted by President Jacob Zuma.
According to Ellingson, the ICC has stocked 6 500 bottles of water for the summit, 6 000 cans of soft drinks, 400 litres of fruit juice and 850 bottles of wine. More than 4 500 cups of tea and coffee will be served throughout the two days.
Ellingson said the delegates would be served 580kg chicken, 200kg lamb chops, 100kg potatoes and 30kg tiger prawns. More than 2 399 eggs and 60kg sugar would also be used.