YAY!!!! the ICC Cricket World Cup is in South Africa this year. I've got tickets for the games and the opening ceromany, which is in Cape Town. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Problem is, security has been increased, and ALL people have to pass through metal detectors before they enter the stadium.

I really feel underdressed without my Micra and SAK. What are the legalities? If a knife can legally be carried on the street, can it be taken into the stadium? I'd also really like to find out about the local knife laws, but a don't know where. Perhaps Thor can help me in this regard.

I don't know about South African laws in particular, but in general, a private venue (e.g. a cricket club) can make their own rules. They could probably bar you from wearing the visiting team's colours, if they wanted to. (Of course, cricketers don't have colours, do they? They all wear white.) You always have the option of refusing to be searched; I don't know if they are legally obliged to refund your admission if you do, but I suspect most places would happily do so. Someone asked a similar question of "answer man" columnist Cecil Adams, as I recall - only it concerned the right of private security guards to perform body searches and confiscate narcotics. The answer (for the US at least) is that you have the right to refuse to be searched, and the stadium/night club/whatever has the right to refuse you admittance if you do. Not quite the same thing, but I imagine the same principle applies - your ticket is a contract, and you agree to abide by the terms of that contract when you buy the ticket.

It's no different from a fancy restaurant having a dress code. (Or hotels in Texas that have signs stating firearms are not permitted in the restaurant.) :-)

Thanks for the reply Aard

I ran into a gun shop yesterday, and was informed that there are no laws (in south africa) prohibiting anyone carrying a knife on the street, but (like you said) private organisations have their own 'house' rules. so i can't take my knives into the stadium.

BTW, for limited overs cricket (like the world cup), the teams do wear their national colours (South Africa is green and gold <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)