Fifa on Wednesday denied reports it contracted over 30 Israeli security companies for the Soccer World Cup in June and July.

"The [local] organising committee (LOC) wishes to state categorically that there are no Israeli companies employed to provide security ahead of or during the World Cup," spokesman Rich Mkhondo said in a statement.

"The South African government is responsible for general security while venue security is the responsibility of the 2010 Fifa World Cup LOC."

Reports from Tel Aviv, Israel said Israeli companies would provide hi-tech security products ranging from rocket-proof shields to cameras that can ascend poles and broadcast panoramic pictures to control centres.

Security experts quoted

The reports further quoted Marc Kahlberg, managing director of MK International Security Consulting, which represents several of the companies, as saying "Israeli companies are already playing a huge role in South Africa".

Mkhondo said South Africa had a comprehensive security plan, which included dealing with terror threats and hooliganism.

"We do not need any help from any security companies, including those from Israel," Mkhondo said.

The LOC worked with numerous security agencies such as Interpol. It was not dealing with agencies from Israel, nor had it procured equipment from Israeli companies.

R640m budget for police

"The South African Police Services will spend R640-million on the deployment of 41 000 officers specifically for the event. This includes 31 000 permanent members and 10 000 police reservists."

Recruitment and event-specific training for this force was already underway.

"This includes an intensive train-the-trainer crowd control management programme presented by the French National Police Force."

He said about R655-million would be spent on specialised equipment, including crowd control gadgets, command vehicles, helicopters, body armour, high-tech bomb disabling equipment and mobile cameras.