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The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has expressed shock at the mugging of foreign delegates attending the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) currently taking place in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, said the Committee condemns the mugging in the strongest terms, and called for the strengthening of security in and around the conference venue.

“This is clearly the work of thugs hell-bent on discrediting SA’s image on the global stage. It is a pity that the thugs who commit these petty crimes do not understand the long-term impact of their actions,” Mr Masango said.

On Monday, media reports said four foreign representatives attending the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand were mugged at gun point. The representatives lost possessions like iPads, laptops, passports and cellphones. It was indicated that the culprits could not be clearly identified from the CCTV footage.

He said this act of cowardice should not deter government’s efforts to market the country as both a safe tourist destination, and a capable host of significant global events.
Mr Masango also called on government to ensure that the movement of the representatives whose passports were taken is not hindered in anyway, but also police should try to speedily find the delegates’ lost belongings.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperon, Mr Siphosezwe Masango