Question NW1053 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
28 May 2018 - NW1053
Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(a) What action is her department taking to assist the families of the four South Africans who are reported to have been among those killed in two separate attacks in Mogadishu, Somalia, by the militant group Al Shabaab and (b) what are the official updates on the specified matter?
Reply:
(a) & (b) The Department, through its High Commission in Kenya (accredited to Somalia) is aware of a single unsubstantiated media report that South Africans were amongst those who died in attacks by Al Shabaab on a military base in Somalia referred to. The High Commission in Kenya attempted to get information on the reported attacks in Mogadishu and the many sources in Somalia who were approached were unaware of South Africans perishing in Al Shabaab attacks in Somalia. The Department was also not informed of any fatalities by family members or acquaintances.
In view of the above, the Department remains unaware of South African casualties in recent Al Shabaab attacks in Somalia and as such is unable to verify the incidents or to provide assistance.
In addition, international practice that the Somali Government has the responsibility to officially inform the South African Government of any fatalities of South African citizens in Somalia which would enable the processes of repatriating the remains of the citizens to South Africa. In most instances, the High Commission in Kenya, through the Consular Section at DIRCO, would be requested by family members of the deceased to assist with the repatriation. The High Commission has not received any requests in this regard.