World Cup security: High rollers to dig deep - South Africa

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http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6 ... 650C477630

High-profile foreign visitors are to pay up to R7 500 a day for personal protection during the World Cup.

Chris Beukes, the chief executive of TSU Protection Services, said a diplomat, celebrity or wealthy business executive could pay anything between R3 500 and R7 500 a day for a bodyguard, depending on the individual's profile.

Since the beginning of the month, he said, his company had received requests from high-profile executives for protection services during the World Cup.

"We've had a huge number and they keep coming," said Beukes.

"We will have the final figure of how many people we will be protecting during the tournament at the end of the month.

"We are looking at providing personal protection for between 60 and 100 high-profile people."

These were not executives and celebrities from Europe and the Americas alone.

"We have people from across Africa calling, from Angola and Nigeria."

Kyle Condon, the managing director of Bodyguard Protection Services, said although Cape Town and Johannesburg were being promoted as ideal destinations during the World Cup, many foreigners were sceptical. He said the biggest concern was violent crime.

"People hire bodyguards when major events are held. During past events in South Africa, we've also had a lot of inquiries, but very few of those confirmed bookings."

Condon said his company had a few confirmed projects for the World Cup, but he refused to reveal whom it would be protecting.

An average visitor could pay between R2 000 and R4 000 a day for a bodyguard, Condon said.

"Before we book a project, we do a full risk analysis on the person.

"We do a full assessment and background check of the person, and assess the routes and venues the person will be visiting."

Condon said that apart from "jumping in the way of danger", the bodyguards would be used to transport fans between stadiums, hotels and the airport.

"They are there to plan and prepare for each and every scenario, down to the smallest detail, such as knowing our clients' allergies, such as bee stings or to shellfish."

Dr Johan Burger, chief crime researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, said hiring personal security during an event like the World Cup was unnecessary.

He said South Africa had an "impressive" security plan for the World Cup and extra personal security would be a waste of money. But he acknowledged that "we can't blame people for hiring bodyguards".