South Africa warns against crime ahead of World Cup opener

South Africa on Thursday urged World Cup visitors to exercise caution against crime, after two groups of journalists were robbed ahead of the opening match.

“We appeal to citizens and visitors to also exercise care of their personal safety and those around them,” government spokesman Themba Maseko said in a statement.

“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,” he said.

Participating nations have sent their own police delegations, ranging from the small to the large, like that of the United States.

“Therefore 150,000 police officers will be available to continue with normal policing,” Maseko added. “Policing of the country and ensuring the safety and security of all within it remains a 24-hour operation.”

Police said Thursday they had arrested three people in connection with the armed robbery one day earlier of three journalists covering Portugal.

Thieves broke into their hotel room outside Johannesburg and stole passports, money and photographic equipment.

Chinese state media reported Thursday that four Chinese journalists were also robbed at gunpoint when they stopped their car on a roadside on their way to Johannesburg. The thieves took a small amount of cash and a camera.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest crime rates, with an average 50 killings a day, making security one of the biggest headaches for World Cup organisers.