13 June 2006
Pretoria- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has learnt
with shock and a deep sense of sadness of the cold-blooded murder of Kingsley
Sithole, a South African diplomat who was murdered on Monday, 12 June 2006, in
Olifantsfontein, near Johannesburg.
Sithole was a counsellor based in the South African Embassy in Harare,
Zimbabwe. He was apparently visiting Olifantsfontein with a friend to view his
new house when unknown assailants fired shots at his car wounding him fatally.
He was on leave visiting his son who was involved in a schoolbus accident.
Sithole joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1994 as part of
integration processes. Sithole had previously worked for among others the
African National Congress (ANC) Department of International Affairs under the
leadership of then head of Department and now President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy
Minister Aziz Pahad.
Minister Dlamini Zuma said "Death has once more robbed us of one of the most
committed cadres in efforts aimed at the renewal of Africa and the creation of
a better world. We will certainly miss the invaluable contribution that
Kingsley made in the evolution of the South African foreign policy."
"We join all our people in condemning this dastardly act and express our
confidence that our law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned to
ensure those responsible face the full might of the law," continued Minister
Dlamini Zuma.
"In this regard, on behalf of our Ministry, Director-General Dr Ayanda
Sithole, Ambassadors and High Commissioners stationed abroad and the staff of
our Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife Cheryl,
the children and the entire Sithole family during this time of bereavement,"
concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
13 June 2006
Source: SAPA
