Police hunt England fans after vuvuzela assault

A fan captured this image of one horrific attack.

Surgeons in Rustenburg yesterday performed a three hour operation to remove a vuvuzela trumpet from the rectum of a South African football fan, writes Nigel Eels.

And police are today hunting the England supporters suspected of carrying out this and more than 30 similar assaults since the World Cup Finals kicked off on June 11.

The constant, deafening, wasp-like drone of the traditional instrument has been a feature of the 2010 tournament.

However it is thought that the England fans, hungover after several days’ non-stop drinking at high altitude, may have become irritated by the noise and by the general joyful demeanour of the South Africans.

Kevin Shirte, self-appointed spokesman for the England Supporters’ Club, told The News Grind: “These incidents are regrettable – but I’m not surprised.

“The first couple of days were OK, but when you’ve got to listen to that incessant buzzing 24 hours a day when there’s a pneumatic drill going off in your head I’m afraid something’s got to give.

“I wouldn’t mind, but they’re always smiling. And regrettably all that joy eventually gets on your tit ends.”

The latest victim, 23-year-old Julius N’Keba, was found upended in a wheely-bin outside The Red Lion, a local bar favoured by England supporters during the tournament.

Police spokesman Kenneth Matabele said: “Mr N’Keba has been looking forward to the World Cup for the last eight years, and had gone to the pub intent on spreading joy.

“For him to end up with a vuvuzela inserted up his rectum brings shame on the beautiful game, and we will be hunting down the perpetrators with all the manpower at our disposal.”

England manager Fabio Capello yesterday distanced his team from the incident.

“While I am sorry about what has happened, we are concentrating 110 per cent on bringing the World Cup back to England and distractions like this don’t help,” he said in Italian via an interpreter.