Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
20 January 2010
11:1738353I don't like quoting verbatim, official reports, but this is exceptional.
Not sure if you'll smile or grimace at the comments made by the SA official. Here it is:
"JOHANNESBURG.
A knife-proof vest being marketed to British tourists as a must-have item at the 2010 World Cup has been slammed by the South African government, which says it is completely pointless as most tourists killed will either be shot or run over by taxis. However the country has recommitted itself to "killing as few tourists as possible." (my quotes)
According to the BBC, the so-called stab vests are being marketed in the United Kingdom as essential security wear for the 2010 World Cup and cost up to $70.
However, this morning the South African government condemned the armoured items, describing them as alarmist, reactionary and discriminatory against people who earn a living through knife crime.
But, said spokesman Whiplash Mahlangu, the real outrage was how ineffective the vests would be in keeping tourists alive.
"We urge our visitors to remember that of the 1,500 South Africans who are murdered and the 1,100 who are killed on our roads every month, only a tiny minority succumb to knife wounds," said Mahlangu.
He added that while the usual 2,600 locals would be killed during the World Cup, South Africa was committed to killing as few international visitors as possible.
"If we can keep it down to around one percent of the South African average, that is, 26 tourists, we'll consider that a job well done," said Mahlangu.
But, he said, visitors would have to accept that stab vests would "not be of optimum utility in an average hail of gunfire from an average assault rifle, or against the earnest advances of a Toyota Hilux's front fender".
He asked both South Africans and foreign tourists to remain positive about the World Cup.
"The world is coming," he said. "The important thing to remember is that of the 500,000 guests coming to our shores, 499,974 will be going home alive).
"Ultimately football will be the winner."
Don't you believe it (my comment).
I do hope that everyone who goes there for the football, will come home safely, but I doubt it somehow.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
20 January 2010
16:2838363Ah now yer pulling our chain there Roger!!
When I realised the Spokesman was none other than Whiplash MacGrue I felt unconvinced as a whole. But it gave me a laugh. The line that says 500,000 would come to the World Cup, and then with positive cheer announced that 400,000 or so will be going home alive ...now thats hysterical !
The South Africans have just hosted an excellent cricket series with England and nobody so much as tripped over a blade of grass.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 January 2010
17:0938367that is a lot to do with spectators being taken from the hotel to the ground direct paul.
sadly south africa is one of the most crime ridden countries on earth.
one of the reasons we have so many dentists and pharmacists here in east kent from that country, it is not for oura weather.
20 January 2010
17:2238369Howard, surely you mean dentists of South African extraction??
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
20 January 2010
18:0738374Nice one Bob, you're on form.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
20 January 2010
19:2838377Marek
plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
21 January 2010
06:0238421Vous ne changez jamais Bob.Regards à votre charmante épouse, Penny.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)