Legal experts have already suggested proposals to legalise prostitution, saying police would be freed to focus on serious crime instead of petty vice - a position that has won support among some police officials.

Kim, 35, a transgendered sex-worker from Cape Town is familiar with the challenges of prostitution in South Africa, where reports of bribery and rape by police and other human rights violations are rife.

Kim is homeless, and addicted to the sedative known Mandrax, known locally as 'buttons' and crystal meth sold as 'tik'. But she sees herself as a 'social worker' after 11 years in the industry, and is looking forward to the extra arrivals during the World Cup.

Advocates for sex workers say that the existing system simply allows criminals to regulate the trade. Before the 2006 World Cup in Germany there were fears that some 40,000 sex workers would be trafficked into the country, where prostitution is regulated.

However a report by the International Organisation for Migration showed this 'did not occur' and the figures suggested were 'unfounded and unrealistic'.

The justice ministry's Law Reform Commission has proposed possible options, including a blanket decriminalisation or a new system allowing government to regulate the trade.

Researcher Dallene Clark said the commission's work was not tied to the World Cup, but was part of a 10-year review South Africa's sexual offences law.

Leading among the arguments against decriminalisation are fears of an increase in human trafficking, and an even greater AIDS risk in a country where five million of 48 million population are infected with HIV.

Kim echoes this, saying prostitutes offered 'double without a condom' may not be able to resist the offer of extra cash. -- AFP