Egyptian soccer team robbed at hotel
Members of the Egyptian soccer team had about R19 000 stolen from their Johannesburg hotel rooms, Beeld newspaper reported on Saturday.
The money was stolen from five of the players’ rooms at the Protea Hotel Wanderers in Illovo on Thursday night.
About R7 000 was also stolen from a room occupied by a representative of sports clothing manufacturer Puma.
Egyptian team representative Inas Mazhar was quoted as saying that the team was busy celebrating its 1-0 Confederations Cup victory over Italy when they realised their money was gone.
“We are disappointed, but it’s their own fault. There are safes, but they left the money outside.
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“This will not spoil our experience. We are focusing on the tournament and the South Africans are supporting us as though we are their national team.”
National police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer was quoted by the Saturday Star as saying: “Detectives from the Norwood police station are interacting with the team and will investigate further. The SAPS will also interact with the management of the hotel in question. We will take all measures possible ... to prevent a recurrence of an incident of this nature.”
In a separate incident on Thursday, four British tourists following the British and Irish Lions rugby tour were robbed outside their bed and breakfast in Duxberry, Sandton, reported the Saturday Star.
Brothers Michael (57) and Peter Harriott (58) and Simon (57) and John Murphy (52) got lost on their way to the hotel from the OR Tambo International Airport.
They arrived late and found the front entrance closed and noticed they were being followed as they made their way to the back.
Michael Harriott was quoted as saying: “A black Mercedes-Benz boxed us in and four men appeared with guns. They surrounded our car. They ordered us out of the car and told us to lie on the floor and remove our wallets and watches.
“They threw me to the ground, and the next thing, one of the robbers got into our hired car, while the other three jumped in theirs. They sped off with our luggage.”
He added: “Besides enjoying the rugby, the people who helped us with the incident were very friendly and helpful. This is why we will stay.”
No arrests had been made in either of the cases. - Sapa
