SA Police in action. (Gallo Images)

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Cape Town - The SA Police Service (Saps) will continue to provide security to teams playing in the 2010 Word Cup, despite reports that many teams had hired private security firms to protect them during the tournament.

Police spokesperson, Sally de Beer, said on Monday that the police had "successfully and confidently" provided close security details to all teams playing in the Confederations Cup in 2009 and would continue to do so during the 2010 World Cup.

"During the Confederations Cup the teams and officials were escorted by Saps members safely and no security incident involving any team or team member occurred," De Beer said.

"In fact the teams were extremely satisfied with the protection provided by the South African Police Service.

"One incident of theft was reported from the hotel of a certain team, but to date no evidence has materialised which could support the allegations and lead to an arrest."

De Beer said in the period leading up to and on the day of the World Cup draw, the police - together with the defence force and other law enforcement officers - successfully secured the event and parallel activities, such as the fan festival in Long Street Festival.

"The South African Police Service has assigned Team Security Liaison Officers (TSLOs) and close protectors to each team which has qualified to play in the 2010 World Cup.

"The TSLOs held a seminar with the teams' representatives last weekend and will continue to liaise with each team on security matters for the duration of the World Cup.

"Again, all teams seemed satisfied with the security arrangements and no negative comments or opinions were reported."

De Beer said a news article published on Monday with the headline "Teams hire warzone guards from Iraq" was "absurd".

"It must be noted that not one person that was quoted in the article as to having misgivings about the security provided for the teams has been identified in the article - all are 'sources'," she said.

"The security forces of South Africa have proved over and over again that we are fully prepared to secure major events.

"Those who plan on making easy money out of the security industry during the World Cup by misrepresenting the facts are unpatriotic and doing their country a great disservice."