By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has emphasised that one of the government’s top priorities during the duration of the BRICS summit is the safety of delegates.
More than 40 heads of States will attend the summit sitting at the Sandton Convention Centre from Tuesday until Thursday.
Addressing law enforcement officers deployed at the BRICS Summit at Innesfree Park in Sandton, Cele encouraged the officers to make people feel comfortable; make their trip enjoyable and also make them want to come back to South Africa.
He told the officers that they should not be scared, but be ready to protect people coming to the Summit.
“We are not scared; we are absolutely not scared; nobody should be scared. You are commanded to go and do your best for the country,” he said.
Various law enforcement agencies, which includes the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the Ekhuruleni Metro Police Department, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and security companies are among the law enforcement agencies deployed to ensure the safety of BRICS delegates.
“What is expected of you is to show that every person visiting and every citizen is safe. Approach situations and people here with friendly faces. You are not here just for security, you are ambassadors,” Cele said.
A few African Heads of State have already touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport ahead of the much-anticipated 15th BRICS Summit that will kick start on Tuesday, 22 August.
The weekend saw at least two African leaders arrive in the country already.
Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Sunday welcomed Cameroon Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, who landed at the OR Tambo International Airport, on Sunday afternoon.
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera is already on home soil after Minister Angie Motshekga received him at the airport on Saturday.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa invited 67 leaders from Africa and the global South to attend the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogues.
Brazil President Luiz Inácio da Silva accompanied by his wife Rosangela da Silva also landed at the OR Tambo International Airport this morning.
The couple were also on the same flight with Brazil’s Former President Dilma Rousseff, who is also the Chair of the BRICS New Development Bank.
Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be arriving later this evening.
The BRICS grouping of major emerging economies – Brazil, India, China, South Africa and Russia, is holding its 15th summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 22-24 August 2023 under the Chairship of South Africa.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of SAPS.