Two Zimbabwean nationals have been sentenced to fifteen years prison apiece for robbing World Cup journalists of cash and valuables valued at nearly 400-thousand rand.
South Africa’s Justice department has vowed to come down heavily on all such crimes related to the cup games.
From Johannesburg, Benedict Nhlapho reports.
Ivory Coast drew with favored Portugal 0-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth this afternoon. New Zealand tied 1-1 with Slovakia in Rustenberg. Brazil beat North Korea 2-0 this evening in Johannesburg.
Recapping Monday’s action, the Netherlands beat Denmark 2-0. Japan edged out Cameroon by one goal to nil. Italy and Paraguay drew 1-1.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean fans in South Africa have resorted to watching the matches in their homes or at fan parks as tickets are too expensive.
Fan Malvin Moyo tells VOA Studio7 reporter, Marvellous Mhlanga Nyahuye that ticket prices ranging from 150 to 2-thousand rand are out of reach for most.
South Africa says a series of walkouts by World Cup stadium guards will not affect security at the tournament, now in its fifth day. Government spokesman Themba Maseko told reporters Tuesday that police are ready to step in whenever they are needed.
His remarks followed walkouts by stadium security guards in Durban on Sunday, Cape Town on Monday, and Johannesburg on Tuesday. The guards, known as stewards, are demanding higher pay from their employer, the Stallion Security Consortium.
The government and organizers say police are now providing security at four World Cup sites in all, including Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, where Brazil and North korea met tonight. World cup organizers say they will not tolerate defiance or jeopardizing the tournament.
