South Africa mulls legalising prostitution to check HIV during World Cup

South Africa could legalise prostitution during the 2010 World Cup amid fears that the tournament will spread the HIV epidemic.

Around 500,000 football supporters will descend on South Africa for the tournament, the Daily Star reports.

Due to the rise in demand, health bosses want the government to consider making prostitution legal so sex workers can come forward to be screened for sexually transmitted infections and get free condoms.

Eric Harper, director of the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce, said: "It could be a potential recipe for disaster both for clients and sex workers."

One HIV-positive prostitute, Isabella Siachina, said the World Cup is the answer to her prayers.

"All the girls are so excited. Next year we will be working all the hours in the day," she added.

According to a 2005 study, 46% of female sex workers in Johannesburg have the virus.