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SA attacks are 'causing alarm'
18/05/2007 14:49 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has asked the South African government to increase security for its officials after a number of them were robbed.
The attacks were causing "alarm", PAP president Dr Gertrude Mongella told a news briefing after the closing session of its seventh ordinary session in Midrand on Friday.
"We already notified the government and they are working on it," she said.
PAP was monitoring the steps which were being taken.
The most recent attack was on a new member of the parliament from Mauritania, Diye Ba, said a PAP official.
She was robbed when she arrived at the Town Lodge hotel in Midrand from the airport on Wednesday night.
She was registering at the desk when gunmen walked in, took her possessions and emptied the till.
Mongella said it was hoped the government would increase efforts to protect not only members of the PAP, but also its staff who had been victims of crime.
She said South Africans had to know how to protect themselves, and it was more frightening when people came into the country as guests.
Mongella said that according to the host country agreement, security issues are in the hands of the host country.
"So if there are any insecurities, we have to report to the government and the government takes action through the normal channels of dealing with crime.
"(We) wish the government will become more vigilant on these criminals."
According to a PAP official, during the last session, two Ugandan members of parliament and a member of the support staff were forced to lie on the floor by gunmen who robbed the United Hotel in Midrand.
In another incident, a staff member was robbed on arrival at home from the airport.
In yet another case, a staff member was hijacked and lost a brand new car that still had to be insured.
- SAPA
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