SAfrica police chief not ruling out late changes to accommodate Mandela at closing ceremony

Police chief not ruling out Mandela appearance

PRETORIA, South Africa — South Africa’s police commissioner has not ruled out an appearance by Nelson Mandela at the World Cup’s closing ceremony.

Gen. Bheki Cele said Tuesday about the final game at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on July 11: “It keeps coming up that he might be there, so we will wait (to see) what happens on the day.”

Cele is making security plans to accommodate Mandela just in case.

The former president was expected to attend the opening match on June 11, but did not following the death of his great granddaughter in a car accident on the eve of the game.

Cele said police had confirmation that 23 heads of state and another 18 “eminent people” would be at the closing ceremony, but he was told the number could rise.