From this morning's newspapers
Diplomats, celebrities and wealthy businessmen are scrambling to secure personal bodyguards for the Soccer World Cup, the Sunday Times reported.
The newspaper said that requests from across the world peaked after last week's 100-day celebrations to the tournament's kick-off and this would see several top-end security specialists being fully booked.
Dynamic Alternatives co-director, Gavriel Schneider, said clients making requests for the service included executives, individuals and groups from the financial, sporting, industrial and mining sectors.
Their requests ranged from around the clock protection to escorts to and from stadiums and tourist destinations.
He said it would cost about R3 000 per day for the services of a bodyguard.
Chris Beukes, head of TSU Protection Services, said his staff would be working around the clock during the tournament.
"It starts at the airport, picking up clients and escorting them throughout the visit," he said.
Tommy Meiring, a co-director of Legosec security, said his bookings almost tripled after the 100-day celebrations.
He said some foreigners have asked about terror attacks and others requested overnight duty services at hotels.
Shots fired at Jo'burg World Cup commuter buses
(AFP) – 21 hours ago
JOHANNESBURG — Shots were fired at Johannesburg's new public buses introduced for the World Cup on Friday but passengers escaped unharmed, police said on Saturday.
"Four occupants in a sedan shot at a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) bus last night (Friday) but no one was injured," police spokesman captain Katlego Mogale said.
Friday's shooting was the third such incident involving the BRT.
Days after its launch last August a policeman and a passenger were shot on a bus travelling to Soweto township on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
A third passenger was injured in March.
The new public transport system connecting Soweto and Johannesburg has angered the mafia-like minibus taxi industry that dominates the city's commuter routes.
The taxis fear they will be put out of business by the sleek modern buses. Protests by taxi operators often turn violent, while rival fleets have waged deadly turf wars over their routes.
President Jacob Zuma had to delay the BRT's launch to try to win over the taxi industry, preventing the use of the buses at the 2010 World Cup curtainraiser Confederations Cup tournament last June.
Since then, the government has pressed ahead, seeing the buses as the first step in overhauling the nation's public transport.