Soweto derby to go ahead amid tight security
Stadium Management South Africa CEO Bertie Grobbelaar says extra security precautions will be in place for Saturday's Soweto derby.
The measures, which include bomb sweeping, will be conducted at FNB Stadium ahead of the big game.
The precautions follow a security alert issued by the United States Embassy in South Africa about a potential terrorist attack in Sandton during the weekend.
The company, which oversees FNB Stadium, expects around 93 000 football fans to attend the match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
The stadium is located in Nasrec in Johannesburg which is about 26,9 km away from Sandton.
Grobbelaar says they have been made aware of the warning and extra precautions will be taken.
"Once we were informed of the notice by the US Embassy, It was addressed with the events and the security planning committee and this committee is headed by authorised members appointed by SAPS.
"This notice was escalated to the national security authorities and we are guided by them on steps to be taken," says Grobbelaar.
"I know that there will be a bomb sweep of the stadium conducted and we were informed that they will immediately alert us if there are any additional measures that are required. Currently, we are guided by the state security services.
"I know there's extra deployment on their side and the planning is in place,"
Grobbelaar has urged fans to arrive early at the stadium.
"People should arrive early, and that's always our plea with an event with 90 000 people, that you should arrive early to avoid congestion at the entry points, irrespective of what other alternative arrangements are in place.
"But in a nutshell, we are aware of this. It was dealt with by the security planning committee and state security services at the highest level are involved in this.
"We're leaving it in their hands to guide us and at the moment we were planning the event in accordance with that structure," he adds.
Grobbelaar says there is no reason to postpone the fixture.
"We will obviously deal with this matter in accordance with the guidance we received from the national state security services and, at this point in time, all indications that there is no immediate threat and that the match is going to continue as the norm and as a responsible management company, we will definitely inform the public if there are any changes to this."
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