Lord Condon, director of the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption
Unit, has accepted an invitation to join the Security Directorate of the
2003 Cricket World Cup to be staged in South Africa.
This was announced by Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of 2003 CWC, at a
media conference in Johannesburg today.
"We are delighted that Lord Condon has accepted our invitation. I had a very
valuable meeting with Lord Condon on Sunday and it was agreed that he will
work closely with our Security Directorate both prior and during the
tournament to ensure that what the paying public witness on the field of
play is a true reflection of the players' and teams' skills and expertise."
Lord Condon is on a five day visit to South Africa. He is accompanied by
senior investigator Jeff Rees and support manager Bob Smalley. Earlier
today, they met with Patrick Ronan, chairperson of the Security Directorate
and several of his co-directors.
In welcoming Lord Condon's input, Mr Ronan said: "The scope of the mandate
of the Security Directorate is very wide. Our brief is to ensure that every
step is taken to ensure the safety and security of all involved in the
tournament - players, spectators officials, vip's and media. The question of
ensuring that the spectre of corruption does not pervade this important
sporting event for our country is a key deliverable of our directorate and
Lord Condon's work and the expertise of his team in this regard is warmly
welcomed."
Lord Condon said: "The World Cup in 2003 has always been a significant
target date in our drive to eradicate corruption from the international game
and I stand by that commitment."
The high-powered directorate has been appointed with a R8 million budget to
oversee and ensure proper delivery of all logistical aspects of safety and
security for the 54-match tournament. Its brief is to provide a safe and
secure environment for the teams, referees, umpires, media, VIP's and some
800 000 ticket holders.
Mr Ronan is a lawyer and former Department of Justice official who currently
serves as chief executive officer of the Security Officers' Interim Board,
the statutory regulator of the private security industry.
Other members of the directorate include:
* Randall Howard, a senior labour representative who is currently the
general secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union
(SATAWU) and a member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
executive and its central executive committee;
* Rory Steyn, a sports event security specialist who is retained as a
consultant to the United Cricket Board and formerly the SAPS team leader of
President Nelson Mandela's personal protection unit;
* Mzwandile Simon, the current national chairperson of the security
sector of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and
a member of SATAWU's central executive committee;
* Director Ben van Deventer, a senior SAPS official responsible for
the national co-ordination of major event security.
In addition, the directorate will utilise the expertise of the Logistics
Director of the 2003 CWC, Malcolm Tarbitt, and other ad hoc experts from
time to time.
Dr Bacher said: "We have every confidence that through the calibre of
representatives on the directorate and their strategy we will ensure that
the tournament will be safe and incident-free."
Mr Ronan said: "Ours will be a team effort whose success will hinge on
proper planning and joint co-operation between the private security sector,
the State law enforcement agencies and organised labour."
Lord Condon said: "The main purpose of my visit is to cement already
established relationships with the World Cup Security Directorate, and to
put into action joint security and anti-corruption plans."
From Johannesburg Lord Condon will fly to Cape Town for briefing meetings
with Frank Khan, Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Cape Province,
South African Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour and British High Commissioner
Ann Grant.
Rodney Hartman, Communications Manager, 2003 Cricket World Cup, Tel: +27 11 446-3604, Fax: +27 11 446-3622, Mobile: 083-389-0904