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Furnishings & DecorThe Colombian national soccer team has been robbed in a five star World Cup hotel — the day after their arrival in South Africa.
Two female employees of the plush Hyde Park Southern Sun Hotel, in northern Johannesburg, were arrested and appeared in court yesterday charged with stealing R21000 worth of US dollars from members of the team on Monday.
Charges against a third woman were dropped because of lack of evidence.
Colombia were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in a friendly at a sold-out Soccer City last night.
The hotel will also host the World Cup squad from Slovenia, due to arrive on June 8.
The global soccer showcase kicks off in two weeks.
The incident is regarded as having the potential to deeply embarrass South Africa — and the police top brass, who have vowed that they will ensure that the tournament will be the “safest World Cup ever”.
In June, during the Confederations Cup, $2400 (R18394) was stolen from several players from the Egyptian soccer team at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Protea Hotel
Five members of the team discovered that their money was missing shortly after celebrating their 1-0 victory over Italy.
Newspapers reported that the theft was carried out by “scantily clad” women who were spotted on closed-circuit TV cameras.
The women suspected of involvement in the theft from the Colombians were scheduled to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court but their case was transferred to the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
Jeanet Mashimbyi, 29, of Maseru, Lesotho, and Johannesburg resident Lucky Mahlatsi, 25, appeared late yesterday before magistrate Helene Engelbrecht. They were not asked to plead.
The Times understands that the management of the Hyde Park hotel allegedly asked the police to keep the incident quiet, fearing bad publicity and cancellations before the World Cup.
It is understood that, though the hotel wanted the women to be fired quietly, the police insisted on arresting them following complaints from the Colombian team.
It is alleged that Mashimbye and Mahlatsi tried to sell the stolen dollars to a Chinese woman in Johannesburg who deals in foreign exchange.
The dealer has denied her involvement.
Mashimbye and Mahlatsi are unlikely to be granted bail during their scheduled court appearance next week.
The court heard that one of the women has a case of theft pending against her.
She was accused of stealing money from other guests at the hotel.
The second woman has a warrant of arrest outstanding against her.
Gauteng police spokesman Colonel Eugene Opperman said: “It was an inside job. How do you police that? You cannot. They worked there everyday.”
2010-05-28
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