Robbers target international reporters

Two foreign television crews robbed in Cape Town on Friday ahead of the draw for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Foreign journalists have been told to be on guard against criminals after two international television crews were robbed by thieves in Cape Town.

Members of a German news crew were held up at knifepoint off Long Street, while a BBC crew had equipment worth an estimated R120 000 stolen out of their vehicle while filming on Ou Kaapse Weg.

The BBC crew has been in Cape Town for four weeks filming a documentary on the power of football to change people's lives - specifically disadvantaged youth.

Producer Andrew Bell said they had been doing shots of the Cape Flats from Ou Kaapse Weg when the thieves struck, smashing a window in their vehicle and stealing a lens, microphones and other camera equipment.

The German crew were accosted by a gang of well-dressed men carrying knives. The two German men were forced to hand over wallets, air tickets and cellphones.