One News Cameraman’s Equipment Stolen At FIFA World Cup - $100,000 Worth Of Gear Gone

ONE News cameraman Tony George has had his hotel room burgled in South Africa and over $100,000 worth of television recording, editing and transmission equipment stolen.

Tony George and reporter Donna-Marie Lever were staying at a FIFA sanctioned hotel in Rustenburg near the venue where the All Whites are due to play their first World Cup game.

The burglar/burglars jemmied the Wellington based cameraman’s hotel room door and cleaned out all of the gear inside including Tony’s clothes and passport.

Tony and Donna-Marie were having dinner in the hotel’s dining room at the time of the break-in.

The equipment they took included a TV camera, sound and lighting equipment, a laptop and a BGAN which is a state-of-the-art satellite transmission device.

“We’re just very grateful Tony and Donna-Marie are safe and well, it’s a very timely and sobering reminder of how vigilant all kiwis travelling to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup need to be”, said ONE News Editor, Paul Patrick.

“Donna-Marie will still be filing reports for ONE News due to the generosity of AP in South Africa, the news agency has helped them out with broadcast equipment, transmission capability, transport and money until we can organise replacements, they have been amazing and we’re very grateful”.

Tony & Donna-Marie are speaking to police at the moment.

Ends

© Scoop Media