Zimbabwe Report of IDI Safety and Security Delegation

1. Purpose

At its meeting of 1 October 2002, the IDI Board determined that it would send a Safety and Security Delegation to Zimbabwe to inspect arrangements for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.

The purpose of the Delegation was to inspect the situation in Zimbabwe in order to determine if it was safe for the six games to be played in the country during the tournament.

All members confirmed that the only issue in relation to Zimbabwe was safety and security and that political considerations should not be a factor in the ICC’s decision making process.

The Delegation comprised the following representatives from the ICC and its members:

• Mr Malcolm Speed Managing Director, ICC Development (International) Ltd;

• Mr James Sutherland Chief Executive, Australian Cricket Board (ACB);

• Mr SK Nair Honorary Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI);

• Mr Tim Lamb Chief Executive, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB);

• Mr Hans Mulder Team Manager, Koninklijke Nederlanse (Holland) Cricket Board (KNCB);

• Mr Laurie Pieters President of the Namibian Cricket Board (NCB);

• Mr Chishty Mujahid Director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB);

• Mr Vince Hogg Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU).

In addition, the Delegation had a number of advisors. These were:

• Mr Ian Frykberg Director of ICC's commercial partner, Global Cricket Corporation (GCC);

• Mr Tim May Joint Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA);

• Mr Jeff Rees Senior Investigator from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit;

• Mr Ben van Deventer Member of the ICC CWC 2003 Security Directorate and a senior South African policeman;

• Mr Jonathan Ticehurst ICC Insurance advisor, from Windsor Insurance

• Mr Brendan McClements ICC General Manager, Corporate Affairs.

2. Itinerary

The inspection itinerary was as follows.

Wednesday 27th November

7.30am Internal Breakfast Briefing Session – Function Room, Meikles Hotel.

8.30am Australian High Commission – 29 Mazowe St, Harare

Mr Trevor Wills - Acting High Commissioner

9.30am Zimbabwe Republic Police Headquarters – representatives of Police, Army, Air Force

10.30am Meeting with Ministry of Education, Sport & Culture, The Honourable Mr E Chigwedere.

12.00pm Lunch at Harare Sports Club during the ODI vs Pakistan.

to 2.30pm Meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Harare and Acting Town Clerk

Thursday 28th November

7.30am Delegates collected from the Hotel for transport to Charles Prince airport.

8.00am Flight to Bulawayo

9.20am Arrival in Bulawayo – collection at the airport by ZCU Personnel.

10.00am Executive Mayor of Bulawayo, His Worship Mr J Ndabeni-Ncube.

11.00am Zimbabwe Republic Police, Matabeleland Province – representatives of Police and Army.

12.00pm Visit to Queens Sports Club – inspection of facilities.

2.30pm Flight to Harare

Friday 29th November

8.30am British High Commission

Mr B Donnelly – High Commissioner

10.00am Indian High Commission

Mr A K Basu – High Commissioner

11.30am Namibian High Commission

Mr E Haipinge – Acting High Commissioner

12.30pm Royal Netherlands Embassy

Councillor Mr P van der Linde

2.30pm Pakistan High Commission

Mr K A Babar – High Commissioner

3.30pm Security briefing from Zimbabwe World Cup Security Directorate, Mr Paul Friendship, in the ZCU Boardroom.

4.30pm Closing discussion session chaired by Malcolm Speed in the ZCU Boardroom.

Unfortunately the scheduled appointment with the Namibian High Commissioner was cancelled during the visit.

3. Zimbabwe – Safety Environment

The Delegation was able to obtain a clear picture of the safety and security environment within Zimbabwe through its discussions with a broad cross section of Government, security and diplomatic contacts.

The issue was addressed directly by the Delegation in each of its meetings.

Internal Safety Environment

Universally, it was recognized that there has been considerable improvement recently in the safety environment in Zimbabwe since the decision by the Australian Cricket Board to postpone its tour to the country earlier this year. The Pakistan Team has just completed a three week tour and had not encountered any problems.

The Australian High Commission highlighted that this change was reflected in its travel advice to its citizens which had been downgraded from advising against all non-essential travel, to recommending that visitors to the country exercise due caution in their travel arrangements.

The British High Commission and the Dutch Embassy travel advice is similar.

Pakistan and India regard Zimbabwe as safe and have not seen fit to issue a travel advisory for the country.

All diplomats commented that Harare and Bulawayo experienced the street crime associated with most cities but that they would expect it to be safe and secure for the players and officials, provided that due vigilance and caution was exercised, particularly after dark.

It should be noted that no foreign tourist has been killed or injured in Zimbabwe for political motives.

A similar point was also made by the security forces that will be responsible for the teams in these cities.

The sense of the advice is summed up in the following comment made to the delegation by a consular official.

“Sensible tourism is perfectly possible”

All diplomats regarded the high profile of the players and the security surrounding the teams and officials as factors that would reduce the security risk.

Of particular note were the comments of the Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk of Harare and the Mayor of Bulawayo.

While both cities are politically controlled by the opposition party (the MDC), both local governments emphasised that the games are in the national interest and highlighted the economic boost that staging the matches will provide to their cities.

In particular, the Deputy Mayor of Harare identified the critical shortage of foreign currency in Zimbabwe and the benefits that will come to his constituency from staging the matches.

It was also identified that while the political situation in Zimbabwe is difficult, the risk of orchestrated violence from within the country that could place the players and officials at risk is minimal.

Diplomatic sources confirm that the MDC is committed to finding a political solution through non-violent means and is unlikely to attempt to orchestrate any violence against the government or use the World Cup matches as a political platform to promote their cause.

The local government officials confirmed the support of their cities for the matches, that their party supports the participation of Zimbabwe in international sport, that these games are regarded as being in the national interest and that their party does not support violence.

“When it comes to national issues that reflect the national identity, the MDC will not engage in any political points scoring”

Senior city official

“Everyone is supportive of the World Cup and the MDC is the same. The World Cup is fundamentally a good thing and we’re not going to call it a bad thing and go against public opinion”

Senior city official

One major area of concern identified during the inspection was in relation to food shortages.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing significant food shortages, particularly in the rural areas, and this situation is likely to get worse ahead of the ICC CWC 2003 with the next harvest not due until April. Zimbabwe has previously experienced food riots in Harare (1997) and this cannot be ruled out again.

However, it is apparent that should this occur it will not be an organized program by the MDC. Any action is likely to be as a result of localized disaffection spilling over into violence.

“A hungry stomach can make a man angry.”

Senior city official

Equally, it is likely that any violence, should it occur, would be well away from the players and officials. This type of outbreak is likely to occur in the suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo while the teams and officials will be located in the centre of the city.

It was also highlighted to the Delegation that in the event of any violence of this type, the internal security forces were very well equipped to quickly isolate, contain and address the problem.

“If food riots occur, it is highly likely that the police and military would be able to contain them as the layout of the city of Harare makes this easy to achieve. The city has been planned this way”

Consular official

External Safety Environment

A number of sources highlighted to the ICC that the main security threat in Zimbabwe would not come from within the country but is posed by the risk of an outside terrorist organisation targeting the ICC CWC 2003.

It should be noted that in making these comments, the sources also highlighted that Zimbabwe posed no greater or lesser risk than any other country hosting the tournament and that this was simply a comment on the situation in the world today.

It was also highlighted that there was no history of external terrorist attacks or extremism in the country.

In light of this information, the Delegation sought information on the capacity and capability of the Zimbabwean intelligence and security forces to deal with this type of threat.

Not surprisingly, the security forces themselves believed that they were entirely capable of dealing with this issue.

More importantly, a number of other independent sources also supported this view.

“The Zimbabwe security forces are well staffed and well organized”

Senior Consular official

“Zimbabwe has the expertise, infrastructure and capability to deliver a safe and secure event”

Senior Consular official

“I know that the US has been working closely with the Zimbabwe intelligence community and that they are pleased with the co-operation. There is no sense that Zimbabwe is sympathetic with or helping terrorists.”

Senior Consular official

4. Zimbabwe – Player and Officials Security

The accountability and responsibility for the safety and security of players and officials in Zimbabwe rests with the United Cricket Board of South Africa through its Cricket World Cup Organising Committee and the Safety Directorate of that Committee.

The Delegation was accompanied by Director Mr Ben van Deventer, a member of the Security Directorate and a very senior serving policeman in the South African Police Force with specific skills in the area of safety and security for major international events.

Mr van Deventer confirmed that security of the players and officials in Zimbabwe was subject to the detailed Security Plan developed for the event.

This plan has previously been approved by the Government of South Africa and is a comprehensive and detailed guide to the necessary levels of security at the World Cup. It covers all aspects of security including airport arrivals and departures, transfers, accommodation and at-match arrangements.

The focus of the Delegation was on the extent to which this security plan was understood by the relevant security personnel in Zimbabwe and to what degree it is being implemented.

Meetings with the police and security forces identified that the management structures had been put in place with the necessary security committees established in both Harare and Bulawayo. These committees bring together the relevant stakeholders responsible for overseeing and implementing the security plan.

The Delegation’s visit also coincided with the trial, at the 3rd ODI between Zimbabwe and Pakistan, of the match day security arrangements for traffic free zones, vehicle checks, spectator searches (including magnotometer scans) and zoned accreditation areas within grounds.

These trials worked successfully with the plans proceeding smoothly. Weaknesses that were identified are now being addressed as the final plans are developed.

In meeting with the various security and coordinating groups involved in the provision of this security, it was apparent to the Delegation that this issue must remain a priority in the lead-up to the tournament.

The Delegation received undertakings from all parties that this commitment is in place and the Delegation is of the view that the ZCU and the CWC Security Directorate must work more closely together to ensure that the Security Plan is well understood by all organisations responsible for its delivery.

The Delegation was satisfied with the commitments from both the ZCU and the Security Directorate.

It noted that the ZCU would be submitting a full report on the implementation of its Security Plan to the Security Directorate for final sign-off in early January 2003 and recommends that the approved plan should be provided to all Boards whose teams are playing in Zimbabwe as a matter of course.

The Delegation also sought assurances on the security arrangements that would be in place to deal with the possibility of terrorist attack.

The Directorate advised that increased security would be implemented including:

• The creation of a secure perimeter of some 200 meters around the hotel protected by strong roadblocks such as concrete barriers;

• Vehicle access to the area permitted only through an accreditation system; and

• Inspections of every vehicle entering the area.

The Delegation regards these steps as mandatory.

It is also important to note that the Security Plan includes a significant component dedicated to the provision of suitable medical facilities at and close to both venues.

The on-site facilities to include:

1. One doctor;

2. Two ambulances, both with two crew members and equipped to Intermediate Life Support levels.

3. One trauma nurse

4. One paramedic.

The medical staff to be provided with the full range of equipment specified in the Security Plan.

Both locations have primary and secondary designated hospitals and suitable medical facilities. In Harare these are within a 3 km radius of the venue and at Bulawayo they are within an 8 km radius of the venue. Families of players who are travelling to Zimbabwe should also be provided with an understanding of the security measures in place for the games to ensure that they are able to take the necessary steps to minimise any security risk.

5. Zimbabwe – Media and Spectator Safety Issues

The ICC recognizes that there are likely to be many media personnel and spectators who are also looking to travel to Zimbabwe for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. The delegation also sought an understanding of security issues from this perspective.

In looking at this issue it should be noted that the decision of whether or not to travel to Zimbabwe can only be made by these individuals and organizations and ICC plays no part in that decision.

The views of the diplomats were of particular interest regarding the safety assessments for their own nationals.

Even the most cautious advice was that Zimbabwe was a safe and secure country for tourists, provided they were sensible in their travel arrangements.

Sensible precautions include:

• ensuring that travel arrangements are made with a reputable travel company;

• not traveling to rural areas;

• keeping a low political profile and avoiding crowds;

• being aware of the sensitivities in Zimbabwe such as no photography of state buildings.

The British High Commission was very keen to ensure that its citizens travelling to Zimbabwe made sure that they were aware of these issues while the Australian High Commission stressed the need for people to seek out and follow the travel advisories issued by its staff.

“Visitors to Zimbabwe should make sure that they travel with experienced tour operators to well known destinations. The issues for tourists are no different to any other country.”

Senior Diplomat

It is anticipated that the largest contingent of overseas spectators will come from England with the “Barmy Army” likely to be well represented.

The British High Commission is particularly keen to establish contact with its supporters.

Given the existing informal relationship between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Barmy Army, ECB CEO, Mr Tim Lamb, agreed to facilitate this discussion to allow the British High Commission to provide the Barmy Army with information and advice specific to British citizens visiting Zimbabwe for the World Cup.

The inspection highlighted the need for all visitors to Zimbabwe to make sure that they are fully informed about the situation within the country when coming to their own decisions about travelling to the World Cup.

Based on the information provided by diplomatic staff, the Delegation is satisfied that Zimbabwe is safe for spectators and media travelling to the tournament on the basis that any person travelling to Zimbabwe obtains and follows the travel advice issued by their own diplomatic mission.

The Delegation strongly urges all spectators and media considering travelling to these matches to consult with their own High Commissions/Embassies to get the most up to date information available in order to make a fully informed and considered decision on this issue.

6. Insurance Issues

Following our meetings and discussions the insurance assessment identified that that any violent attack on the tournament is likely to be from outside Zimbabwe rather than from within. That is an attack directed against the Tournament, to create international publicity, by extremists based outside Zimbabwe.

Attacks on soft targets by determined extremists are very difficult to foresee and they are occurring with increasing frequency and severity in different parts of the world. However, as the situation stands at the moment there is confidence that insurance is available for the Players and Officials for death, disablement and medical expenses associated therewith, arising out of terrorist attacks within Zimbabwe.

This is at a level of benefit that it is believed will be regarded by ICC, the National Cricket Associations/Board, and the Players as adequate and reasonable.

Such a policy would automatically extend to include death, disablement and medical expenses caused by riots and civil commotion, as well as the risk of everyday accident such as motor crash, personal assault, injury in the hotel etc.

The attack on 28 November 2002 in Mombasa, Kenya, is regarded by Insurers as yet another tragic episode in the ongoing conflict between two known adversaries. It does not prejudice the insurances available to ICC but it does demonstrate the unpredictability of the location of these events.

However, in giving an indication of terms, Insurers may wish to reserve the right to cancel the policy if the political climate deteriorates, with the feared consequences of rioting and deaths, or if there are incidences of terrorist attack in Zimbabwe between now and February 2003.

7. Conclusions

1. The Delegation is satisfied that it met with a sufficient number of people in a diversity of positions in Zimbabwe to provide adequate sources of information to reach the conclusions that are detailed hereunder.

2. It is satisfied that there is widespread support within Zimbabwe for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 matches to take place. ZCU is a Full Member of ICC and has earned the right to host these Cricket World Cup matches.

3. In the course of its meetings, the Delegation was unable to identify any group that would benefit significantly from the relocation of the matches. On the other hand, there are significant benefits that will flow from playing the matches in Zimbabwe.

4. It is clear that levels of safety and security have improved since earlier in 2002 when the tour by the Australian Cricket Team to Zimbabwe was cancelled.

5. It is also clear that there are serious political and economic issues that have arisen in Zimbabwe and it is apparent that the situation will most likely deteriorate between now and the time when the Cricket World Cup matches are to be played. It is evident that increased anxiety in relation to political and economic affairs and, in particular, food shortages that will be exacerbated in the coming months, will create a risk of increased violence in the community.

6. However, the Delegation is satisfied that the processes that have been put in place by the relevant officials in Zimbabwe are more than adequate to deal with any such threat of increased violence and that it will not pose a safety and security risk for players and officials.

7. The Delegation received a comprehensive presentation of those aspects of the Cricket World Cup Security Plan that impact on matches in Zimbabwe. This Security Plan has been approved by the Government of the Republic of South Africa. The ICC CWC Security Directorate has undertaken to continue to monitor the implementation of those aspects of the Security Plan that relate to the matches in Zimbabwe to ensure that all of the planned activities take place.

8. Spectators and media intending to travel to Zimbabwe are strongly urged to contact their respective diplomatic officials and to get a thorough understanding of the current situation in Zimbabwe to ensure that they are able to make a fully informed decision about travelling to the country.

9. There is an appropriate level of insurance cover at an acceptable cost available to all of the teams scheduled to play in Zimbabwe, should they wish to take advantage of that insurance.

10. There are many serious issues that face the world at large in relation to safety and security and the sport of cricket is not immune from these issues.

However, as things stand at the moment, it is the view of the Delegation that there is no good reason in terms of the safety and security of players to relocate any of the six matches that are planned to be played in Zimbabwe in February and March and they should continue as scheduled. In the intervening weeks, IDI and ZCU will continue to monitor events in Zimbabwe very carefully. If there is any significant deterioration in the perceived levels of safety in Zimbabwe, this issue will be revisited immediately.

8. Recommendations to the IDI Board

1. That the IDI Board confirms that the six first round matches scheduled for Zimbabwe will take placed as planned.

2. That the ICC CWC Security Directorate ensures that the Security Plan is fully implemented in Zimbabwe by regularly monitoring the progress of this plan and providing the ICC with reports on a two weekly basis as to its implementation.

3. That the final Security Plan submitted by the ZCU and approved by the Security Directorate, including the additional security measures identified following the terrorist attack in Kenya, be provided to each country scheduled to play in Zimbabwe for their information.

Signed By The Members Of The Delegation

Malcolm Speed – IDI Managing Director

James Sutherland – ACB Chief Executive

SK Nair – BCCI Honorary Secretary

Tim Lamb – ECB Chief Executive

Hans Mulder – Holland Team Manager

Laurie Pieters – Namibia President

Chishty Mujahid – PCB Director

Vince Hogg – ZCU Chief Executive

Ian Frykberg – GCC Director

Tim May – Chief Executive FICA

Jeff Rees – ICC Anti Corruption Unit

Ben van Deventer – CWC Security Directorate

Jonathan Ticehurst – Windsor Insurance

Brendan McClements – ICC General Manager, Corporate Affairs

December 2002