Chinese robbed, arrests made in separate robbery

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Chinese journalists in South Africa for the World Cup had items stolen from their car by gunmen when they were travelling in daylight hours through Johannesburg, an embassy official said on Thursday.

The incident follows the armed robbery of Spanish and Portuguese journalists at a lodge north of Johannesburg on Wednesday and stoked security concerns in the crime-plagued country just ahead of the opening match on Friday.

FIFA said on Thursday that three arrests had been made in connection with the robbery involving the Spanish and Portuguese and that all property taken had been recovered.

"We know that the police are taking care of the situation. They have arrested three people. They have handed back to the people their valuables including cash," FIFA spokesman Wolfgang Eichler said. He added that the hotel was not FIFA-approved.

An embassy official could provide few other details of the incident involving the Chinese that also took place on Wednesday.

The three Chinese journalists has been in the country for a few hours and were on their way to the main venue for the Cup in Soweto, the local paper Beeld reported citing various sources.

They stopped on the side of the road when gunmen approached and stole equipment from their vehicle, it said.

South Africa police could not confirm the robbery and were looking into the case.

Meanwhile, a larger police presence in the town which is the Portugal squad base and where robbers held a World Cup photographer at gunpoint on Wednesday has settled some nerves, but travelling journalists are still angry at FIFA's handling of the matter.

ARMED ROBBERS

The incident, in which armed robbers raided the Nutbush Boma Lodge, where 20 Portuguese and Spanish journalists are lodged, has raised concerns about security in the host nation but FIFA played down the incident in Magaliesburg on Wednesday, saying its main concern was traffic chaos.

"It's just ridiculous, a total lack of respect for people who have come here to work, to show this country to the whole world," Antonio Simoes, the photographer whom robbers held at gunpoint and stole his camera, cash and credit cards, told Reuters.

The small town about an hour's drive from Johannesburg had welcomed the Portugal squad with enthusiasm, with around 2,000 fans attending the first training session on Sunday, but the incident has marred the mood, forcing police to increase their presence and leaving journalists anxious.

The raided hotel now has several police officers patrolling the grounds around the clock and almost all the other hotels have police or private security protecting journalists."

"There was fear right after the incident, everyone was very shook up by what happened to Antonio Simoes but the police reaction has been good, putting guards at the gates, which has helped," Paulo Guerrinha, a reporter for the Portuguese internet portal Sapo, told Reuters.

Guerrinha was less impressed, however, with the organising committee's reaction.

"This has been received really badly here by the journalists. A situation like this cannot be devalued like it has been," he said.

"FIFA saying it was more concerned with traffic than someone being attacked in a hotel room with a gun to their head does not dignify the institution and the organisation in any way," he added.

South Africa has been hoping the World Cup would add a boost to its tourism sector and provide a jolt of pride for the continent but experts have said persistent reports of crime could undermine those aspirations.

Separately, several photographers covering the World Cup have also reported equipment being stolen from their baggage upon arrival at O.R. Tambo Airport, the main gateway to Johannesburg.

(Additional reporting by Xola Potelwa and Agnieska Flak; Editing by Jon Bramley)