Envoy up for embassy assault
2010-08-19 08:54
Lizel Steenkamp, Bie Burger
Cape Town - A senior South African diplomat who allegedly severely assaulted a colleague at the South African embassy in Harare, has been charged with misconduct.
In response to a written Parliamentary question from the DA on Wednesday, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, minister of international relations and co-operation, confirmed that Mlulami Singapi has been suspended pending an investigation into the incident.
Singapi reportedly assaulted Lyn de Jong, head of corporate services at the embassy, in her office in May. According to Nkoana-Mashabane, De Jong was injured during the incident.
Civil service union PSA said at the time that De Jong’s face, eyes and ears were swollen after the attack and that she had bruises on her chest and back.
The same diplomat apparently also assaulted her last year, but De Jong did not take any action.
Saul Molobi, spokesperson for the department, could not be reached for further comment on Wednesday night.
It is not clear whether Singapi has been suspended with full pay or how long the investigation will take.