FIFA: Robberies out of our control
11 Jun 2010
FIFA insists there was not much it could have done to prevent journalists from being targets of crime over the past 48 hours in the build-up to the World Cup.
Four Chinese nationals were the latest victims of robbery after having money and a camera stolen from them in central Johannesburg.
According to the Beeld newspaper, the men were attacked after stopping their car on the side of the road.
The incident occurred less than a day after Portuguese journalists had their belongings taken off them at the Nutbush Boma Lodge, situated in the holiday town of Magaliesburg, 80 kilometres north west of the city.
“The incident as far as I know with the Chinese happened on the street, so you will understand that we don’t comment on this - it was in the city centre,” FIFA spokesman Wolfgang Eichler said.
“With regard to the incident yesterday, it was not an official FIFA media hotel.”
The FIFA official also confirmed that lots of headway had already been made in the case, including arrests and recovery of some of the stolen items, which were taken in the early hours of the morning when two of the men were asleep and the other reportedly held at gunpoint.
He added: “What we know now is that the police are already taking care of the situation. They have arrested three people and there are still more details to come from them.
“They have handed back to the persons their valuables, including cash. But all the figures will come from the police.
“We just make sure we are in contact with the police that they secure their hotel and these journalists are safe. So we are confident and FIFA will try and make sure they are secure.”
Both events occurred just days before the start of the World Cup and have again raised fears of safety and security in the host country, which will be the first African nation to hosts the global spectacle.
Rich Mkhondo, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief communications officer, said: “We’re expecting an update on both incidents later today.
“All I can say is one sentence. In general, we work with all security agencies around the world to make sure that this World Cup is a success.”
Mkhondo also confirmed that several high-profile individuals had already confirmed their attendance at tomorrow’s opening ceremony at Soccer City, which will be followed by hosts South Africa kicking off the tournament against Mexico.
Amongst the confirmed attendees are United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Mexican president Felipe Calderon, Prince Albert of Monaco and United States vice-president Joe Biden.
Several African leaders are also expected, but have not confirmed their attendance with the LOC.
“Our president (Jacob Zuma) has invited all 54 heads of states from the African Union,” said Mkhondo.
“They have not confirmed to us, but confirmed to the government and the announcement from the government has not yet been made.
“But we are expecting a number of African leaders to be here.”
The LOC again confirmed that Nelson Mandela has an “open invitation” to attend the opening, but the age of the former president, who turns 92 next month, means his presence will be a last minute decision by his family.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/world-cup/fifa-robberies-out-of-our-control-1.1034259