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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Gunmen rob World Cup journalists in their hotel
Mchael Cullen, Photographer
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 10:07 AM on 06.09.10 |
| ->> This is sad. When I was in South Africa in 2007, there were editorials in the paper every day threatening to petition FIFA to withdraw the World Cup unless the SA gov't did something about the rampant crime. Many people thought bringing this many wealthy tourists and media was a recipe for disaster. I just hope this is an isolated incident, because SA could really use the revenue (although, the cynic in me believes most of it will go to line pockets that are already fairly deep). |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer, Assistant
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 1:38 PM on 06.09.10 |
->> There was one line in a quote from a Lt Col with the police "This is obviously high-profile, so we have to make sure we are on top of this." So what, if it had not been during an international event with media involved you might have done less than being "on top of it"?
From what Greg has said above and the limited knowledge I have maybe this is just another normal day for security forces there. No big deal. Thats a shame. Luckily it sounds as though nobody was hurt physically. |
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 1:59 PM on 06.09.10 |
| ->> The sentiment was that there was no real effort on the part of the government to crack down on crime. I think *some* people believed the government saw it as some sort of right for those who had little or nothing to rob those who had something. Also, when your stuff gets stolen, your insurance pays out, and you buy new stuff, so the government is getting tax revenue. But, as long as the gap between rich and poor in SA remains as wide as it is, there will always be crime...it's a systemic thing. |
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Max Waugh, Photographer
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Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 5:33 PM on 06.09.10 |
->> "So what, if it had not been during an international event with media involved you might have done less than being 'on top of it'?"
Mike, I wondered the same thing. Especially since I'm traveling to South Africa a month after the World Cup ends... |
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Thomas E. Witte, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Cincinnati | OH | USA | Posted: 4:38 PM on 06.10.10 |
| ->> Has anyone heard from anyone already on the ground there working? I've tried calling and emailing a few as I'm heading over tonight for this weekend's games and wanted to see if there was anything I need to keep in mind but I haven't heard a peep back yet. |
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Mark Sobhani, Photographer
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San Antonio | TX | USA | Posted: 3:37 AM on 06.11.10 |
->> http://www.thestar.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=nw20100610114302616C228890
Thomas: I've been having a blast, and at no time have I felt in danger for myself or my gear.
Keep the usual rules in mind:
Be diligent, don't leave anything unattended, in the car, don't stray too far from public places alone, always let someone know where you're going, etc.
I hired a fixer for the first few days I was here and it was a great way to get to know the different areas of Johannesburg and figure out where I should or shouldn't go alone. |
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Manuello Paganelli, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 1:52 PM on 06.14.10 |
->> Mark those are great advices but when you are robbed in your own hotel room then nothing else is safe and you better keep on praying and knocking on wood.
SA is a dangerous place and security is pretty poor. One of my cousin is married to a SA girl and her family has been robbed by the same folks who worked and tended their farm. Folks who worked for them for many years.
Very sad. Lets hope that this great event goes and ends in a great and beautiful note. South AFrica and our world deserves that.
www.ManuelloPaganelli.com |
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Svein Ove Ekornesvaag, Photographer
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Aalesund | Møre og Romsdal | Norway | Posted: 2:13 PM on 06.14.10 |
| ->> Not sure if it was this robbery, but I read that the people who robbed some journalists/photographers just a few days ago were already caught and senteced to 15 years in prison. |
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