Stab-proof vests for World Cup Fans – Opportunistic business
Attempts to get more information on the stab-proof vests sold by a British firm, or to buy one of them, drew a blank this week.
The company, Protektorvest, declined to respond to follow-up questions on the matter. It also ignored requests for its phone number. Sapa e-mailed the company a list of questions earlier in the week to an address found on Protektorvest’s website.
A Sascha Cutura replied by e-mail a day later, saying the company was not going to comment. “Thanks for your interest. Due to the high demand of media requests we are only able to answer a small number of interviews,” reads the e-mail.
“You will find the information you need on our website, in the current news, and in regards of the status of our company, please visit the company’s house website which will provide you with all details you need.” This was the full response.
A furore was sparked by reports on the stab-proof vests.
The Fifa local organising committee this week expressed anger at the marketing of the vests. LOC spokesman Rich Mkhondo described the vests as an “abominable money-making ploy using fear tactics”. He said: “Sports fans visiting South Africa have never needed stab vests. The marketing of such vests is a joke.”
Protektorvest’s website had no contact numbers to reach the company, nor any physical address where the company was located in Britain.
It had only e-mail addresses for sales in Germany, England and France, and several e-mail addresses for advertising on the site and where customer and media queries should be sent to.
It had links to pages on crime in South Africa, and figures on stabbings.
There was also a form where you can “design” your vest for $69 (about R520). An added $2 buys you a flag or design of your choice added to the vest.
A phone number and address for the company were obtained via a website database, but the phone number listed seemed to be incorrect, listing Cutura as registered holder of the domain name.
Earlier in the week, the website featured a map where Protektorvest’s office could be found, in Kempton Park, during June and July, but this had been removed. The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales did confirm the company was registered as a limited company.
A bid to order one of the vests via e-mail remained unanswered for three days
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