SANDF standing by for Comrades
THE South African National Defence Force was on standby yesterday at the Durban Exhibition Centre, the venue of the Bonitas Comrades Marathon Experience, where thousands of the expected 11 000-plus runners were finalising their registration for tomorrow’s big race.
And the SANDF could be there again today and on the route tomorrow, when the 89.3km race is run from Pietermaritzburg to Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban.
Comrades Marathon officials and law enforcement agencies were taking no chances after threats of a disruption to the Comrades.
Early yesterday Comrades officials and Athletics South Africa’s top brass were called into an emergency meeting with authorities about security.
“We have been reassured that no-one will disrupt the race. We’ve been promised the full support of the Metro Police and SAPS, and the Road Traffic Inspectorate,” said one source.
Leonard Cheune, president of Athletics South Africa, also gave an assurance the Comrades would go ahead peacefully, regardless of any threats from striking civil servants.
Cheune met Willie Madisha, the president of Cosatu, early yesterday before announcing that there would be no demonstrations during the race.
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16 Juin 2007 à 15:35 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
