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South Africa pledges safety as 3 held for robbing

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-11 12:30

South African Police Brigadier of Gauteng province Mariemuthoo talks to journalists during a news conference in Magaliesburg June 10, 2010. A World Cup photographer was held at gunpoint on Wednesday during a pre-dawn burglary at a lodge used by journalists covering Portugal and Spain, raising concerns about security in the host country. [Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG - As the South African government on Thursday sought to reassure FIFA World Cup visitors about their safety, South African police announced the arrest of three people for robbing Portuguese and Spanish journalists in Magaliesburg, north-west of Johannesburg.

Three Chinese journalists were also reportedly robbed, although police could not initially confirm the incident.

South African government spokesman Themba Maseko said in a statement that the safety and security of visitors remains a top priority.

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"Of the country's 190,000 police officers, only 40,000 have been allocated to World Cup operations. These officers will be supported by their counterparts from the 32 participating teams".

According to the South Africa Press Association (SAPA),  Maseko said that 150,000 police officers will therefore be available to continue with normal policing.

"Policing of the country and ensuring the safety and security of all within it remains a 24-hour operation."

The statement came after three journalists, two Portuguese and one Spanish, in the country to cover the soccer World Cup, were robbed at gunpoint at their lodge near Magaliesburg. Three Chinese journalists reportedly lost a camera in a smash-and-grab in Soweto, near Johannesburg.

South African police chief Bheki Cele said on Thursday that three people have been arrested for the Magaliesburg robbery.