In recent days, the streets of Johannesburg have seen an increased presence of police vehicles on patrol. The South African city has bolstered its security measures in anticipation of the impending BRICS summit.
This highly anticipated event is set to convene heads of state from Brazil, including President Lula, China’s Xi Jinping, as well as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov.
Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police, asserts, “Our expectation from you is to ensure the safety of every visitor to our city and every citizen of this country”. Amidst the backdrop of soaring homicide rates and record crime levels in the nation, these temporary security measures have drawn some bewilderment from South Africans. However, the Minister of Police dismisses the criticisms.
Regarding the notion that these measures are specifically geared toward the BRICS summit, the Minister states emphatically, “Absolutely! We cannot deny that. We have amplified our resources, intensified our efforts, and augmented our capacities. Yet, it’s crucial to emphasize that our commitment extends far beyond the summit. We have been here, and we will remain here long after the BRICS event concludes.”
Beyond the participating leaders from the five member nations, around fifty heads of state, deemed “BRICS-friendly,” are expected to attend the summit, scheduled to run until Thursday.
Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently facing a warrant from the International Criminal Court, is set to partake in the proceedings through a virtual conference format. As Johannesburg prepares to host this significant international gathering, the city’s heightened security measures underscore the importance of safeguarding attendees and reinforcing a commitment to security for both visitors and the nation’s citizens.