All systems go ahead of BRICS Summit: Cele

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has called on the security forces deployed to safeguard the 15th #BRICS summit set to commence tomorrow – to uphold and enforce the law.

The three-day summit, which will take place in Sandton Convention Centre, will see a number of international political heads and organisations in attendance.

It is the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 40 Heads of State, including Brazil, Russia, India and China, are expected to attend.

President Lula da Silva has already landed in the country and Chinese President Xi Jinping is said to be on his way.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is expected to join the summit remotely as the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against him.

In his address, Minister Cele said the safety of delegates and the country at large is of highest priority, adding that there haven’t been any security concerns at the moment.

Cele said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will also be added to the contingent of security detail that will be deployed to Sandton.

Hundreds of police officers have already been deployed.

Minister Cele has expressed hope that the security contingent will be able to handle the magnitude of the event, as the country has hosted other big events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

#PoliceMinistry [MARCHING ORDERS] Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele gives the marching orders to security role players responsible for safeguarding the upcoming #BRICSza Summit. ME pic.twitter.com/esauKkTiSL

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 21, 2023