Iraq: SA victim 'in security'

2004-04-08 05:55

Lizel Steenkamp and Jo Prins

Johannesburg - Another South African has died in Iraq - this time after coming under attack by Shiite Muslims southeast of Baghdad.

Gray Branfield of Helderkruin on the West Rand was shot dead in a house in Kut, 185km southeast of Baghdad, on Tuesday night.

"Security contractor" Branfield and four colleagues were in the house, which they shared, when they came under attack by Shiite Muslims.

Branfield was killed, but the other three managed to escape from the house early on Wednesday morning.

Branfield's son, Gregg, 27, said the family knew he was doing contract work in Iraq and that, at times, it was dangerous, but they "never expected this type of news".

On Wednesday, Kut fell into the hands of Shiite Muslim militia under the control of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, AFP reported.

The militia attacked civil and military foreigners based in the city and Ukranian forces asked to withdraw.

Employed as 'security specialists'

The Ukrainian minister of defence said: "The withdrawal started at daybreak under the guidance of attack helicopters.''

It is understood Branfield's housemates were also evacuated with these forces.

Branfield is the second South African to be killed in Iraq. Frans Strydom, a former police officer, was killed in a bomb blast in Baghdad in January.

Another South African, Deon Gouws, was seriously injured in that explosion.

The men in Kut are employed by the Hart Group - a consortium of companies that market themselves on their website as security specialists "with a lifetime of experience in, among other things, the protection of governments".

A spokesman for the company confirmed Branfield's death from London on Wednesday. He would not give out any details, however.

By late on Wednesday, the South African department of foreign affairs had not been told of Branfield's death.

Ronnie Mamoepa of foreign affairs said: "The South African mission in Amman, Jordan, will try to determine whether it is true. We will have more details only tomorrow (Thursday)."

About 300 South Africans are working for various contracting companies in Iraq, doing mostly security work.

- Beeld