South Africa police defend World Cup security plans
Source: BBC NEWS
An online article refers to an "explosion causing hundreds of deaths".
But police chief Vishnu Naidoo said: "We have not identified any specific threats in reference to this article."
He added: "The credibility of the report must be questioned, but we will test the content. We cannot ignore it."
The threats were made on what claims to be the jihadist online magazine of the North Africa terror group al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a militant organisation based in Algeria.
The group said it will use a form of undetectable explosive that will evade security checkpoints.
Experts the BBC has spoken to suggest the author of the article is a "prominent jihadist" but threats he has made in the past, including attacks during the German elections, were not carried out.
But Naidoo, senior superintendent with the South African police, insisted the country's security measures are capable of dealing with any form of threat.
"Interpol will be based in South Africa during the duration of the tournament," he told BBC Sport.
"They have also established a database of all persons involved in organised crime, from hooliganism to terrorism.
"No-one from that database will be allowed here. We also have our own intelligence community here, the police, army, secret service, working on a daily basis, monitoring potential threats.
"Our police officers are being trained by the American police to combat chemical, biological and nuclear attacks."
However, Professor Paul Wilkinson of St Andrews University, one of the country's leading security experts, told the BBC the threat should be taken seriously.
"It is genuine and very similar to many other al-Qaeda websites," he said. "That doesn't mean what is stated on such websites is to be believed.
"On the other hand, the message may have the effect of mobilising an individual or group to carry out an attack and it is essential for the authorities to increase security.
"It is unusual, to say the least, for al-Qaeda and affiliate organisations to give advance notice of their precise target and the tactic they will use.
"However, the authorities can't afford to ignore it, because people reading this message will include militants who might think this is something they want to do.
"The deliberate pinpointing of this match highlights the hatred al-Qaeda has for our country and the United States."
Fifa said it does "not comment on any specific potential threats to the 2010 World Cup, as such matters will be dealt with together with the relevant security authorities and will not be made public".
The Cape Town Stadium is one of 10 venues under close watch in South Africa
| By Dan Roan BBC sports news correspondent |
South African police have insisted their World Cup security plans are adequate despite threats made ahead of England's match against the USA.
An Algeria-based cell, claiming to be a branch of terrorist group al-Qaeda, said it will strike on 12 June on the day of the Group C match in Rustenberg. An online article refers to an "explosion causing hundreds of deaths".
But police chief Vishnu Naidoo said: "We have not identified any specific threats in reference to this article."
He added: "The credibility of the report must be questioned, but we will test the content. We cannot ignore it."
The threats were made on what claims to be the jihadist online magazine of the North Africa terror group al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a militant organisation based in Algeria.
The group said it will use a form of undetectable explosive that will evade security checkpoints.
Experts the BBC has spoken to suggest the author of the article is a "prominent jihadist" but threats he has made in the past, including attacks during the German elections, were not carried out.
 | It is unusual, to say the least, for al-Qaeda and affiliate organisations to give advance notice of their precise target and the tactic they will use Professor Paul Wilkinson, St Andrews University |
"Interpol will be based in South Africa during the duration of the tournament," he told BBC Sport.
"They have also established a database of all persons involved in organised crime, from hooliganism to terrorism.
"No-one from that database will be allowed here. We also have our own intelligence community here, the police, army, secret service, working on a daily basis, monitoring potential threats.
"Our police officers are being trained by the American police to combat chemical, biological and nuclear attacks."
However, Professor Paul Wilkinson of St Andrews University, one of the country's leading security experts, told the BBC the threat should be taken seriously.
"It is genuine and very similar to many other al-Qaeda websites," he said. "That doesn't mean what is stated on such websites is to be believed.
 South Africa's police force is confident it is well prepared for the World Cup |
"It is unusual, to say the least, for al-Qaeda and affiliate organisations to give advance notice of their precise target and the tactic they will use.
"However, the authorities can't afford to ignore it, because people reading this message will include militants who might think this is something they want to do.
"The deliberate pinpointing of this match highlights the hatred al-Qaeda has for our country and the United States."
Fifa said it does "not comment on any specific potential threats to the 2010 World Cup, as such matters will be dealt with together with the relevant security authorities and will not be made public".
Comments