South Africa : NIA to help ensure a safe Confederations Cup

By Edwin Tshivhidzo

Pretoria - President Kgalema Motlanthe is confident South Africa's National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is up to the task of ensuring a safe and successful 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Speaking at an event to mark Intelligence Day in Pretoria on Friday, the President said the intelligence services were equal to the demands of the task.

"Next year our nation will be the proud host of the FIFA Confederation Cup Competition, a precursor to the 2010 Soccer World Cup which will serve to showcase the ability of South Africa and sister countries in Africa to host such event.

"In this connection, we are certain that our intelligence services, working together with their counterparts across the world, will be equal to the demands of this task."

President Motlanthe said South Africa had hosted major international and local events for 14 years and the Confederations Cup must truly be a spectacular African event.

"As government, we are hard at work to ensure that these soccer events are not only the best ever but leave a positive legacy for the continent of Africa."

He said the NIA must continue to improve its human and technical capacity to enable collection and analysis of critical information, training and developing analysts and modernising their technological tools of trade to ensure that they are at a cutting edge at all time.

"Today we not only celebrate your achievements, but also call on you 'to demand more from yourselves' and to aspire to even greater heights in the period ahead, in your continuing efforts to shape our nation's advances to build a better life for all.

"May you continue to remain focused on your vision and mission to achieve peace, security and the alleviation of poverty in South Africa, the continent and the world," said Mr Motlanthe. - BuaNews