BuaNews (Tshwane)
Nthambeleni Gabara
31 October 2008
Pretoria — The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday launched a technically advanced water cannon truck which aims to effectively manage unruly crowds and promote stability during the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The modern water truck from Israel was on display on Thursday at the SAPS and French National Police crowd management course in Pretoria.
According to senior Superintendent Fiezel Ally, the ant-riot water cannon is fitted with a digital camera and it was strong enough to knock a person down.
He said the water cannon was technologically advanced since it was taken a step further by lacing the water with dyes and tear gas.
"We are still going to be trained to use this modern facility and we are confident that this will enhance our effort to maintain stability during the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup," he said.
Both the SAPS and the French National Police also exhibited the use of newly acquired body armour in the form of simulations and mock demonstrations.
In the past four weeks, 120 SAPS members have undergone train-the trainer programme which was presented by the French police.
According to Superintendent Ally, the training was in effective management of unruly crowds using some of newly acquired equipment.
"To test the effectiveness of this equipment, we integrated the use of our newly acquired water cannon and 200 trainees as a mock unruly crowd.
"This exercise not only marked the successful conclusion of an intensive course, but it also provided South Africans and the world an opportunity to witness our rapid progress in our preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, particularly in crowd management," he said.
The simulation comprised two parts, which were outside the stadium (clashes between supporters and stadium stewards) and inside the stadium (invasion of the pitch, intimidation of players and the evacuation of VIPs.)
As opposed to the use of a shield, the use of the body armour now provides better protection; greater confidence and allows better and faster manoeuvrability.
French Ambassador to South Africa, Dennis Pietton said the skills transfer between France and South Africa would not only be valuable for the SAPS during the 2010 tournament, but will leave a lasting legacy of strengthening capacity and capability.
"It will enhance SAPS ability to manage public order and contribute to urban security in an efficient professional and democratic manner," he said.
In July, the French police were requested by the SAPS to organise training in crowd control at large events.
The South African delegation had visited France in May this year to acquaint themselves with the methods employed by the French counterparts during large events as the 1998 Soccer World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Since September, a mixed team of the French police and Gendarmerie (military police force) have been training 120 South African police officers from across the country in the techniques and rules of engagement applied by the French police force.
The training programme included basic professional instructions; manoeuvres to maintain order consisting of 'Normal platoon' and 'Tactical platoon' and implementation of a mission statement inspired by the French national police force, but adapted to the South African context.
The training forms part of the fruitful French-South African police co-operation to strengthen South African capacity in various fields such as maritime policing, special task force, training of detective and intelligence services and forensic police.
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