A man was arrested by the East London police on Saturday for unlawfully selling tickets at inflated prices outside the Buffalo City Stadium during the Chan qualifier match between Bafana Bafana and Zambia.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the man, who had bought a “huge” bundle of tickets from Computicket via Shoprite for R40 each, made more than 100% profit after selling the tickets for R100 each.
“Cash was also found in his pocket, which we confiscated. We discovered that the tickets were genuine but the practice of re-selling them at the gates was illegal,” she said.
Mqala could not say how much was found on the man. He had six tickets left when the police swooped.
“During our planning meetings ahead of the big match, one of the operations was to target those selling tickets at the stadium.”
Mqala said Computicket confirmed that the man had bought the tickets. Mqala could not give the number of tickets he had purchased.
The spokeswoman said another man believed to be selling tickets at the gates was arrested but later released after it turned out he was actually giving them away for free.
“We released him after the Zambian national team manager confirmed that he was the one who gave the tickets to the man to give them to local Zambian fans,” she said.
There was a moment of madness after the match ended when Bafana fans, disappointed by the draw, threw placards on the soccer pitch. Mqala said no one was arrested for the hooliganism.
Safa was not available for comment. Safa national president Dr Danny Jordaan’s phone rang unanswered and Safa BCM president Prince Sibam’s phone was off.
Man nabbed for illegally selling tickets
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the man, who had bought a “huge” bundle of tickets from Computicket via Shoprite for R40 each, made more than 100% profit after selling the tickets for R100 each.
“Cash was also found in his pocket, which we confiscated. We discovered that the tickets were genuine but the practice of re-selling them at the gates was illegal,” she said.
Mqala could not say how much was found on the man. He had six tickets left when the police swooped.
“During our planning meetings ahead of the big match, one of the operations was to target those selling tickets at the stadium.”
Mqala said Computicket confirmed that the man had bought the tickets. Mqala could not give the number of tickets he had purchased.
The spokeswoman said another man believed to be selling tickets at the gates was arrested but later released after it turned out he was actually giving them away for free.
“We released him after the Zambian national team manager confirmed that he was the one who gave the tickets to the man to give them to local Zambian fans,” she said.
There was a moment of madness after the match ended when Bafana fans, disappointed by the draw, threw placards on the soccer pitch. Mqala said no one was arrested for the hooliganism.
Safa was not available for comment. Safa national president Dr Danny Jordaan’s phone rang unanswered and Safa BCM president Prince Sibam’s phone was off.
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