Lord Condon, director of the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit, has accepted an invitation to join the Security Directorate of the 2003 Cricket World Cup to be staged in South Africa.

This was announced by Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of 2003 CWC, at a media conference in Johannesburg today.

"We are delighted that Lord Condon has accepted our invitation. I had a very valuable meeting with Lord Condon on Sunday and it was agreed that he will work closely with our Security Directorate both prior and during the tournament to ensure that what the paying public witness on the field of play is a true reflection of the players' and teams' skills and expertise."

Lord Condon is on a five day visit to South Africa. He is accompanied by senior investigator Jeff Rees and support manager Bob Smalley. Earlier today, they met with Patrick Ronan, chairperson of the Security Directorate and several of his co-directors.

In welcoming Lord Condon's input, Mr Ronan said: "The scope of the mandate of the Security Directorate is very wide. Our brief is to ensure that every step is taken to ensure the safety and security of all involved in the tournament - players, spectators officials, vip's and media. The question of ensuring that the spectre of corruption does not pervade this important sporting event for our country is a key deliverable of our directorate and Lord Condon's work and the expertise of his team in this regard is warmly welcomed."

Lord Condon said: "The World Cup in 2003 has always been a significant target date in our drive to eradicate corruption from the international game and I stand by that commitment."

The high-powered directorate has been appointed with a R8 million budget to oversee and ensure proper delivery of all logistical aspects of safety and security for the 54-match tournament. Its brief is to provide a safe and secure environment for the teams, referees, umpires, media, VIP's and some 800 000 ticket holders.

Mr Ronan is a lawyer and former Department of Justice official who currently serves as chief executive officer of the Security Officers' Interim Board, the statutory regulator of the private security industry.

Other members of the directorate include:

* Randall Howard, a senior labour representative who is currently the general secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and a member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) executive and its central executive committee;

* Rory Steyn, a sports event security specialist who is retained as a consultant to the United Cricket Board and formerly the SAPS team leader of President Nelson Mandela's personal protection unit;

* Mzwandile Simon, the current national chairperson of the security sector of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and a member of SATAWU's central executive committee;

* Director Ben van Deventer, a senior SAPS official responsible for the national co-ordination of major event security.

In addition, the directorate will utilise the expertise of the Logistics Director of the 2003 CWC, Malcolm Tarbitt, and other ad hoc experts from time to time.

Dr Bacher said: "We have every confidence that through the calibre of representatives on the directorate and their strategy we will ensure that the tournament will be safe and incident-free."

Mr Ronan said: "Ours will be a team effort whose success will hinge on proper planning and joint co-operation between the private security sector, the State law enforcement agencies and organised labour."

Lord Condon said: "The main purpose of my visit is to cement already established relationships with the World Cup Security Directorate, and to put into action joint security and anti-corruption plans."

From Johannesburg Lord Condon will fly to Cape Town for briefing meetings with Frank Khan, Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Cape Province, South African Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour and British High Commissioner Ann Grant.

Rodney Hartman, Communications Manager, 2003 Cricket World Cup, Tel: +27 11 446-3604, Fax: +27 11 446-3622, Mobile: 083-389-0904

© 2003 CWC