Jails cleared for SWC thugs

Cape Town - South African prison officials say they are ready to clear out cells to make space for Soccer World Cup troublemakers.

Prisons deputy commissioner Teboho Motseki told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday that inmates could be moved to allow for "an overflow" of World Cup-related arrests.

Motseki said prisons can "create excess capacity" by moving current criminals. He said he expected most offenses to be dealt with by using World Cup holding cells around stadiums or at local police stations.

Foreign fans, unaware of local laws regarding drinking alcohol or urinating in public, could end up in police cells during the World Cup.

About 350 000 overseas supporters are expected to arrive for Africa's first World Cup.