White extremists linked to World Cup terrorism plot

South African police have charged five white extremists connected to an alleged terrorism plot to target next month's World Cup. Police made a series of raids on properties across the country last month and seized a haul of firearms and explosives. Seven people were initially arrested, but five have been charged with conspiring to engage in terrorist activities. It is alleged the white extremists were planning to detonate bombs in black townships ahead of the World Cup football tournament which kicks off in a month.

Revelations of the plot and the subsequent arrests come in the wake of last month's murder of white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche. Meanwhile, the World Cup trophy has begun the final leg of its world tour in the host country South Africa. Thousands of residents queued for hours to catch a glimpse of the trophy at a local sports centre. The 32 teams competing in the World Cup, including Australia, will begin arriving in South Africa later this month. The tournament kicks off on June 11.