| but not in NYC - in his own country. |
South AfricaÂ’s ambassador to the United Nations has become the latest high-profile victim of crime in the country, barely an hour after arriving home from New York to attend a family function.
Dumisani Kumalo, a senior member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and staunch defender of government policies, was robbed at gunpoint in the driveway of his son’s home shortly after getting off a flight from New York last Saturday night. Three thieves took his wallet, cell phone and luggage, while others present, including Mr Kumalo’s son Mandla, were also robbed. A male guest at the party — held for Mr Kumalo’s grandson — was shot and wounded in the abdomen.
Tourists and businessmen have frequently been attacked and robbed after being followed from JohannesburgÂ’s main Oliver Tambo airport, which is also notorious for losing baggage. Accusations that gangs operate there with near impunity and the connivance of senior security officials have been angrily denied. Opposition politicians immediately seized on the latest incident as evidence the country is losing the fight against crime and that policing at the airport and other spots where new arrivals are vulnerable is inadequate.
Marthinus van Schalkwyk told a tourist industry conference that statistics showed about one third of target consumers in its eight core markets, more than 22 million people, cited crime as a reason for deciding not to come to South Africa. |