Football: S.Africa slams World Cup stab vests

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A British company is marketing stab-proof vest to football fans visiting South Africa for the World Cup, a move denounced Monday as "scare tactics" to make money off crime fears.

"We think it's abominable... it's not necessary. It's a money-making exercise using scare tactics," said Rich Mkhondo, spokesman for the organising committee.

Protektorvest company is marketing stab-proof vests to tourists who fear being mugged and stabbed during the World Cup at a cost of 510 rands (69 dollars, 48 euros), also offering free delivery at a hotel in Johannesburg or Pretoria.

The company can also customise the vest with team or national emblems.

South Africa has one of the world's highest crime rates, with an average 50 people killed every day, but Mkhondo said fans would be safe as the country will have in place a comprehensive security plan.

South Africa's chief World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan says the country is spending 1.3 billion rands to beef up security.

That includes the 45,000 police officers deployed for the event, but also new equipment including helicopters, water cannons, body armour and 100 new patrol vehicles.

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