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SA's UN envoy: I was terrified
24/07/2007 12:01 - (SA)
Johannesburg - South Africa's ambassador
to the United Nations was robbed at gunpoint at his son's home
in Johannesburg last weekend, the latest in a string of attacks
on prominent South Africans, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Dumisani Kumalo was ambushed by three armed men in the
driveway of his son's house Saturday night, shortly after
landing at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport, the Star said.
The thieves took Kumalo's luggage and cellphones, and
wallets belonging to him and a number of others who were at the
house to attend a birthday party for Kumalo's grandson. One of
the guests was shot in the abdomen.
"I was terrified. These kids (the robbers) are just
reckless. You never know if they are going to kill you," Kumalo
was quoted as saying.
On Monday South Africa's tourism minister warned that the
country's high levels of crime were keeping millions of
potential overseas visitors away, a serious concern as the
nation prepares to host the 2010 soccer World Cup.
South Africa has seen its murder rate, one of the highest in
the world, increase in the past year. The incidence of reported
rapes, carjackings and violent assaults also has remained
worryingly high.
The wife of Tokyo Sexwale, a millionaire businessmen who may
run to succeed President Thabo Mbeki as leader of the ruling
African National Congress, and Raymond Hack, the head of South
Africa's football association, are among those who have been
victims of crime in recent months.
- Reuters
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