Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs host their cross-town rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the much-anticipated Shell Ultra Helix Cup at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, and security will be the top priority for the stadium’s management team.
Bertie Grobbelaar, the managing director of Stadium Management SA, told City Press that there would be no fake tickets on sale on the day.
“All the guards have been vetted by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority and they comply with all obligations in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act,” he said.
“There is no cash policy, and all security service providers have been assigned to that. So I can’t see that there is any possibility for any individual to take money to sell fake tickets.”
Grobbelaar said he was aware of reports that the game between Sundowns and Barcelona had been marred by members of the security team taking money from punters and letting them into the stadium without tickets.
“I have seen the reports following that match and there was nothing officially reported on that. I know there was a concern raised that some of the guards not been recruited by the security authority, but that has been addressed,” he added.
There has also been an outcry from fans as some supporters smoke in restricted areas at the stadiums, specially during big games like the Soweto Derby.
“There is national legislation that regulates that, so we need to comply. There are dedicated smoking areas and if you don’t comply with that, the police are going to intervene,” Grobbelaar said.
He said Stadium Management SA was also in talks with the two teams to maintain discipline.
With the organisers trying to minimise traffic congestion and parking problems, fans coming from Pretoria can get to the stadium free of charge using three Metrorail trains that will depart from Bosman Station to Johannesburg Park Station. From there, transport will be available to the stadium.
The match will start at 15:00 and the gates will open at 11:00.