A BRITISH tabloid journalist accused of undermining World Cup security was declared an undesirable yesterday by the government and ordered to leave South Africa immediately.
Sunday Mirrorreporter Simon Wright was informed of his status after pleading guilty on Saturday at Cape Town magistrates' court to booking British fan Pavlos Joseph into a hotel under an assumed name, in contravention of South Africa's Immigration Act.
Wright pleaded guilty and paid a €78 fine in return for the state prosecutor agreeing not to pursue the case against him.
The case revolved around Wright’s efforts to interview Mr Joseph about how he had made his way into the England team’s dressing room following their game with Algeria, and confronted David Beckham about the performance.
The police alleged Wright orchestrated the incident in an attempt to create an embarrassing story about the security forces during the World Cup.
His attorney, William Booth, argued his client had booked Mr Joseph into the hotel under a different name to keep other media away from him.
Mr Booth told reporters after the case that the admission of guilt was regarding a “technical misdemeanour”, and did not amount to a criminal conviction.
Police minister Nathi Mthethwa said the ruling represented “a major victory, not only for the criminal justice system but for the country as a whole”.
“Wright’s admission of guilt is indicative that some journalists will do anything to get a story, even commit a criminal act. We are a sovereign country, with laws that must be upheld by all citizens, as well as all visitors,” he said.
After the hearing, Wright told reporters he had been comfortable with the idea of going to trial, but he did not have the time to spend in South Africa to prepare for the case. However, Mr Booth said his client was thinking about suing National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele for making defamatory remarks about him.