'Stab-Proof' Vest Angers Local Officials

A private company is offering what it calls "stab-proof" vests to tourists and spectators at the World Cup. The company claims the idea is to improve safety, but locals have blasted the product as hyping security fears in the name of profit.

Football fan Sascha Cutura, the founder of Protektorvest, says he hit on the idea after reading a story about how the German team's World Cup team security consultants had advised players and support staff to wear bullet proof vests when they ventured out of their hotel.

"This got me thinking, and I came up with a solution for people who feel they need extra protection," Cutura said in an email interview.

South Africa: Stab Proof Vests for World Cup Fans
West Cape News
January 19, 2010