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MORE than 1000 police trainees were deployed to Green Point Stadium yesterday evening after striking security officials walked off ahead of a World Cup match between Italy and Paraguay, Western Cape police said.
“Additional personnel from the city’s law enforcement, traffic services and metro police were also deployed to fill the void left by the striking stewards,” said Colonel Billy Jones.
The trainees were from the Bishop Lavis and Philippi police colleges.
Jones said the SAPS had earlier “peacefully moved” 500 striking workers out of the stadium.
Local Organising Committee (LOC) spokesman Rich Mkhondo said the committee had asked the police to take over security services at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
“The 2010 Fifa World Cup organising committee South Africa, SA Police Service and Stallion Security Consortium have agreed that from now until further notice, police would provide security services at the Green Point and Durban stadiums,” he said.
“The request came after stewards left their posts following a wage dispute with their employer, Stallion Security Consortium.” He said the Italy versus Paraguay game kicked off as scheduled at 8.30pm.
LOC chief executive Danny Jordaan said this was unacceptable and action could be taken. “This is an employer, employee wage dispute. Although we have respect for workers’ rights, we find it unacceptable for them to disrupt match day proceedings and will not hesitate to take action in such instances.” – Sapa
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