20100531
Reuters

South African security officials on Sunday denied claims in a Sunday newspaper that the country faces a high risk of a terrorist attack during the World Cup it is hosting in less than two weeks.


The Sunday Times report pointed to a briefing to the U.S. Congress counter-terrorism caucus last week by the NEFA Foundation, which investigates terrorist activities, warning that simultaneous and random attacks were being planned.

"I believe there is an 80 percent chance of an attack," Ronald Sandee, director of the foundation, was quoted by the paper as saying.

Police and intelligence officials dismissed the claims.

"I don't know where they got their information from. We have all our strategies and plans in place," Police Senior Superintendent Vish Naidoo said.

"We have intelligence briefings every day and there is nothing even suggesting what has been suggested by the Sunday Times."

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which coordinates all security operations for the World Cup, also disputed the story.

"The security forces can firmly state that there is no known specific terror threat against the 2010 FIFA World Cup. All operational plans are on track, teams already in their base camps are moving around and police deployments are increasing," it said in a statement.

South African officials have long said the country's non-aligned status and a lack of any substantial local support for militant groups should insulate it from attacks during the June 11-July 11 showpiece event.