S.Africa boosts spending on crime, 2010 World Cup

From Reuters
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's government will spend 17.4 billion rand on the 2010 soccer World Cup, while boosting the fight against crime and accelerating its HIV/Aids programme, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said on Wednesday.

Speaking in parliament as he unveiled the government's budget proposals for 2007/2008, Manuel said the spending was designed to accelerate growth, modernise infrastructure and reduce poverty in Africa's largest economy.

The government's bill for the World Cup, which South Africa is hosting, will come to 8.4 billion rand for stadium construction and refurbishment and another 9 billion rand to upgrade the crumbling transportation system.

Signalling government's determination to tackle crime, Manuel said funding for police would rise to 44 billion rand in 2009/2010, a 34-percent increase from the 33 billion rand allocated in 2006/07.

"In this year's budget, we are allocating an extra 2.4 billion rand to the police to further expand police numbers and invest in technology and forensic equipment," Manuel said, noting that the use of electronic fingerprints and other advanced technology would become routine in police departments.

He added that the country would have close to 190,000 police officers on duty by 2010, when hundreds of thousands of soccer fans and tourists are expected to visit.

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Teddy's Comment: I believed that it is very important to protect the safety of tourists and local fans. The spending will not only benefit the success of world cup 2010 but also the long-term development of South Africa.