Thousands of new gun permits are being applied for in South Africa by private security firms in the country amid growing World Cup safety fears.
The country's leading security company, Fidelity Security Services, are receiving numerous requests for protection from wealthy fans, sports chiefs and celebrities keen to attend the event and have been awarded 600 extra firearms licences.
Some security firms are handling requests for guards at cash machines, shopping malls and hotels, while bookings for 24-hour close protection officers (costing £270 a day) have also increased.
Police have vowed to protect supporters but many businessmen and VIPs are taking matters into their own hands and going private.
Chris Beukes from TSU Protection Services told the Metro that some foreign visitors wanted non-stop assistance: ''It starts at the airport, picking up clients and escorting them throughout the visit,'' he said.
More than a fifth of South Africa's entire police force will be deployed for protection - a number of around 44,000 - while a further 10,000 private security guards have been hired by the government to prevent muggings and attacks.
