Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

SAPS spokesperson Sally de Beer said the operation, dubbed 'Exercise Shield,' is aimed at honing in security-related skills to ensure a safe environment in host cities during major events.

The operation includes securing the national airspace and the maritime environment as well as other strategic key points, meaning uniformed members, vehicles, aircraft and vessels will be stationed in and around the city and at its airport and harbour.

Joint activities will be intensive between 30 July and 1 August with aerial simulations both during the day and night.

"Some of the most elite members and units within the security forces will engage in simulated scenarios and enact certain aspects of our emergency contingency plans in order to neutralise any form of airborne, seaborne and land-borne threat.

"This operation is considered to be an excellent training opportunity for the security personnel to be deployed during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which is just 23 months away," said Director de Beer.

The SAPS units to be utilised during this exercise include the Special Task Force; the National Intervention Unit; the National and Provincial Air Wing; Borderline and Ports of Entry Components; Emergency Services, which include the Flying Squad and Dog Unit; Crime Intelligence and Organised Crime Units; the Counter Assault Team as well as hostage negotiators and bomb disposal experts.

The Defence Force will also deploy various categories of personnel from the Air Force, the Army and the Navy with the necessary equipment and machinery.

"Assistance from Disaster Management coordination structures, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) of the Department of Transport and various other structures will be integral to ensure inter-departmental support to the SAPS.

"The Civil Aviation Authority has already issued an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) which restricts - but does not ban - flights within 40 nautical miles of the Port Elizabeth airport," Director de Beer said.

With the exception of scheduled or official state flights, all other aircraft wishing to enter into the stipulated airspace between 31 July and 1 August must conform to the restrictions.

This entails applying for permission at least 24 hours in advance, submitting a flight plan and being subjected to a vetting process.

Any aircraft observed entering the temporarily restricted airspace without the prescribed authority will be subjected to interception, interrogation and possible prosecution, read the statement.

Ms de Beer said Operation Shield is an essential exercise to allow the security forces to merge their expertise to ensure that any crime or terror related threat is dealt with.

"We ask that the people of Port Elizabeth exercise patience and we regret any inconvenience, especially in terms of noise, that it may cause to some individuals.

"This exercise will afford us the opportunity to hone our skills and make all South Africans proud of their security forces and their country," she concluded.