South Africa is setting up at least 54 Special Courts to deal with crimes committed during the one-month long 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is estimated to cost the host country about US$ 131,659 (R1-million) in all nine host cities and would run for 15 hours daily from May 28 to July 25.

AfricaNews reporter said the justice ministry is concerned that the influx of 450 000 tourists will bring with it a surge in crime.

Key personnel including judges, lawyers, prosecutors, interpreters and volunteers to help with administrative issues, will receive special training for the courts. The development is aimed at speeding up the judicial process, especially for cases involving foreigners.

A statement by the Justice Ministry said the previous events had shown that the influx of visitors normally leads to an increase in crime statistics.

"Therefore, special measures do need to be put in place in order to process any criminal matters that may arise from big events such as the FIFA World Cup,” the ministry said.

Justice Department spokesperson Tlali Tlali said there would not be any lenience to those found on the wrong side of the law. "The courts are here to speed the process. There is not going to be any leniency. We are going to deal with all cases that have to do with the tournament," Tlali said.

Our reporter said an average of 50 people die every day in South Africa, while 250 000 homes are burgled every year.

However, CEO of the 2010 World Cup, Danny Jordaan on Thursday promised that South Africa would stage the best final draw in Cape Town on December 4 and the best World Cup in FIFA's history.

"We will show the world what they have been missing for the past 100 years by making this World Cup, the first ever in FIFA's 100-year-plus history in Africa, the best ever," he said during a flag raising ceremony held at SAFA House (South African Football Association) in Johannesburg.

Flags of the 32 countries competing in the World Cup next June would fly there until the end of tournament on July 11.

Source: Africa News

Photo: EPA/NIC BOTHMA