Security measures at the World Summit on Sustainable Development have been honed down to the smallest detail to ensure the safety of national leaders and delegates.
Every vehicle entering summit sites will be taken almost completely apart to check for bombs. Food tasters will check for poisoned food and no one will be able to fly over Johannesburg without 24 hours' notice.
Interpreters have been flown in to man telephones at the 10111 call centre to assist foreign delegates in need of emergency assistance.
And the Sandton Convention Centre will become UN property for the duration of the summit, and will be known as "the UN precinct". It will have embassy status and will be declared an island site.
A special team has been set up for motorcades to accompany heads of state. A mobile motorcade task team will accompany heads of state to functions areas outside the Sandton island site.
Specialised personnel have been brought in to handle worst-case scenarios of kidnappings, aerial attacks, chemical bombs and mortar assaults.
These are just a few of the strict security measures planned for the WSSD, which starts next Monday.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Perumal Naidoo said the integrated security strategy had been designed to create a safe and secure environment for the duration of the summit.
"Our information gathering is intelligence-driven and we are geared to deal with any crisis should one arise," said Naidoo.
Strict measures have also been introduced to control protest marchers.
Protesters will be restricted to a pre-determined route, and must obtain permission from the Johannesburg council to hold marches.
Petitions will be handed over at Speakers' Point, on the corner of Alice Lane and Fifth Street, Sandton.
The Gauteng police have already increased their crime-prevention operations.
Stop-and-search operations as well as roadblocks will become a daily occurrence as the summit approaches.
Naidoo said all police leave had been cancelled to ensure the maximum amount of police visibility.
Barricades and access control points will be put in place.
The enforcement of "no parking" and "no stopping" zones will be clearly indicated, and anyone without a valid reason for being inside delegates' residential areas will be evicted.
In an emergency, the public and delegates have access to immediate assistance via the police's 10111 centre by calling the number from anywhere in the country.
The Gauteng Detective Service has established task teams consisting of experienced detectives from all units to investigate all WSSD-related incidents that require police investigation.
Investigations will be conducted in conjunction with the department of justice to ensure the effective completion of cases.
"All security measures are geared towards ensuring the summit takes place in a tranquil atmosphere and peaceful environment where delegates can participate freely," said Naidoo.
"We aim to change misperceptions about safety and security in South Africa in general and in Gauteng in particular, and hope that our efforts will help to attract the attention of foreign tourists and investors.
"The success of the security strategy and the summit depends on the partnership between the SAPS, the community and other stakeholders. I appeal to all to assist us in achieving our goal," said Naidoo.
Themba was Sepotokele reports that tight security measures will be in place at Johannesburg International Airport.
All medical and rescue operations will be subjected to police approval within the Johannesburg special rules area (SRA), and any aircraft deviating from approved routings could be intercepted.
Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Trevor Davids said: "There will be no departures or arrivals at any aerodrome, and any flights transiting or penetrating the restricted area within the Johannesburg SRA will be restricted, except if a flight plan is filed 24 hours prior to departure or arrival, and the flight is approved by the police. Such approval could be subject to an on-site inspection and validation."