Unmanned Drones Used to Target Rhino Poachers

Image credit: AfricaNews.com

The South Africa National Defence Force is planning to begin using unmanned drone helicopters designed by a state weapons manufacturer to catch rhino poachers. Sadly, rhino poaching is becoming increasingly prevalent in the African nation.

Defense Minister Lindiwe Sisulu described the unmanned aerial vehicle as similar to "a [model] helicopter that your 8-year-old sons [might] use." The first generation of drones will be equipped with a camera to capture images of poachers. In the future, though, "we will take more drastic measures," Sisulu said. "We want to develop it to the point where we can target the poacher."

Does this mean the UAV will eventually be equipped with weapons? Sisulu didn't say. But, even in this initial effort, she hopes the drones will discourage poaching.

"The issue of rhinos is one we recognize as particularly brutal, and we have committed ourselves to SA National Parks in dealing with this matter," she said.

World Cup Uses Quantum Cryptography to Guarantee Secure Communications

Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa is employing quantum cryptography to protect data networks at the World Cup. With the quantum system, videos, e-mails and phone calls from the stadium and a nearby operations center for police, firefighters and military personnel is theoretically impenetrable.

Quantum cryptography involves encoding information in photons, and enables two parties to produce a shared random bit string known only to them. When a third party attempts to hack the key, anomalies are easily detected.

After the World Cup, Durban plans to deploy more quantum security system throughout the city.

World Cup Faces Unprecedented Security Challenges

The countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup—the most-watched sporting event on Earth—is reaching a fever pitch, with little over 24 hours before the first match begins.

But for the 300,000 spectators traveling to South Africa to watch the contests, safety and security should be just as important as soccer. The nation has one of the highest crime rates in the world, averaging 50 murders a day. Already, visitors and journalists have faced robbery and violence, and the potential for terrorism is self-evident.

The nine South African cities hosting World Cup events have stepped up their security measures significantly and mobilized more than 40,000 extra police officers to patrol the soccer stadiums and tourist areas. The City of Cape Town now boasts a 280-camera CCTV network that covers Cape Town Stadium, the city center and pedestrian routes. These cameras are manned by several hundred law enforcement and disaster management officials.

Cape Town officials claim the city also has a sophisticated disaster management system, with excellent coordination between the municipal, provincial and national law enforcement and rescue services. Meanwhile, on Sunday, 15 fans and a police officer were injured during a stampede at a soccer match near Johannesburg. Here’s hoping South Africa’s extra police, security technology and disaster planning will prevent more extreme incidents once the games are underway.