The Egyptian soccer team, 'The Mighty Pharaohs' were brought to their knees when five players were allegedly robbed of money and other valuable possesions from their rooms, after their 1-0 win over Italy in the Confederations Cup tournament being held in South Africa at the moment.
When the story broke, it was initially reported that when the team arrived after their game at the hotel, that is when they realised that cash and other valuables had been stolen from their rooms. Immediately the media both locally and internationally jumped on this as an indication that crime was really out of control in South Africa, once again putting a dark cloud on South Africa's image in the world.
However over the weekend, reports began surfacing that the players had not being robbed during the game as alleged, but had supposedly brought through prostitutes from the Rosebank area for a night of 'partying and womanising' as reported in the Sunday Independent and City Press which carried similar claims.
Should the investigation reveal that there was no robbery, and instead theft took place, due to their negligence when having female visitors, I hope that the players involved will handle the situation like real gentleman and not try and drag the name of South Africa through the mud, in a quest to protect their personal deeds, no matter how hard it may be for their wives and girlfriends to swallow the truth!!
http://www.newstoday.co.za/cgi-bin/newstoday/show.pl?1245581277
When the story broke, it was initially reported that when the team arrived after their game at the hotel, that is when they realised that cash and other valuables had been stolen from their rooms. Immediately the media both locally and internationally jumped on this as an indication that crime was really out of control in South Africa, once again putting a dark cloud on South Africa's image in the world.
However over the weekend, reports began surfacing that the players had not being robbed during the game as alleged, but had supposedly brought through prostitutes from the Rosebank area for a night of 'partying and womanising' as reported in the Sunday Independent and City Press which carried similar claims.
Of course the Egyptian team was quick to dismiss these reports going as far as saying that the police must apolgise for statements by police sources insinuating that the robbery claims were false. The German Press agency dpa, qouted the Chairman of the Egyptian Football Federaion, Samir Zahir, as saying that "I think that they (newspaper sources) said that to distract from the main issue which is security, by creating a scandal for the Egyptian team". No disrespect intended, but this I must say sounds a bit far fetched as i think a scandal involving the Brazillian team would be more juicier and sell more stories than the Egyptian team.
According to The Star newspaper all safes in the rooms are connected to a central computer and access to all rooms is strictly monitored and there were no signs of forced entry or any tampering with the safes. This begs the questions of how and when did the 'robbery' take place.
The team is due to be questioned by police today over the incident and only when the investigation is completed will the real truth be exposed.
Should the investigation reveal that there was no robbery, and instead theft took place, due to their negligence when having female visitors, I hope that the players involved will handle the situation like real gentleman and not try and drag the name of South Africa through the mud, in a quest to protect their personal deeds, no matter how hard it may be for their wives and girlfriends to swallow the truth!!
http://www.newstoday.co.za/cgi-bin/newstoday/show.pl?1245581277
They surely can't wait to go home! Hence their defeat to the US. The Azzurri curse, I reckon!
ReplyDeleteWho will not want to get hooked to what the hookers are giving them?Probably they are not getting it at home and so are wayward.Does this also say much about desriminalizing prostitution before the 2010?AYOBANES.
ReplyDeleteWhat people are failing to comment on is that fact that, by buying local, the Egyptians are contributing to the South African economy.
ReplyDeleteThe incident paints ladies of the night as criminals and technically they are, at least in South Africa, with prostitution still illegal. However, there are moves -- and this might be one of them -- to legalise prostitution and register prostitutes. It is argued that this will regulate the industry and prevent the crimes -- such as drugging, robbery and assault -- of "johns" (when they are at their most vulnerable).
ReplyDeleteThe Pharoahs got a bit of South African hanky panky, which will take them some time to forget. This is what any clever gal in Jozi would do to anyone who has too much moolah and does not know what to do with. At least the money remains in the country.
ReplyDeletehttp://saffagette.blogspot.com/2009/06/by-hooker-or-by-crook.html
ReplyDelete@ saffagette, as a comrade of the country,i support any form of service which is legal that contributes to the economy. h
ReplyDeleteHowever prostitution in this particular case is illegal and when mixed with theft it aint good. I dont think legalising prositition will stop some women and men (these days gender is mind over matter)from stealing- A thief is a thief!
Agreed. A thief is a thief. However, let's face facts. Prostitution should not be illegal. And the Egyptians should not have left R19 000 (or whatever it was) lying around. And while I appreciate the fact that they are vehemently denying the whole prostitute thing, the fact is that this is why hotel rooms have safes. Let's just hope that that money is being put to good use feeding and clothing needy people.
ReplyDelete