/ 20 June 2013

Denel releases identities of SA Mogadishu bomb victims

On June 9 the UN development programme camp in Mogadishu came under attack and at least 16 people were killed.
On June 9 the UN development programme camp in Mogadishu came under attack and at least 16 people were killed.

They were Morne Lotter (42) of Oudtshoorn, a facility manager at the UN compound who worked for the company for seven years, and Alan Simpson (53) of Port Elizabeth, a maintenance manager, spokesperson Vuyelwa Qinga said on Thursday.

​The third employee who died in the attack was Isak Mohammed Osman, a Somali national.

 

Alan Simpson (top) and Morne Lotter​.
Images supplied by Denel.

On Wednesday morning at around 11am, the UN development programme (UNDP) camp in Mogadishu came under attack and at least 16 people were killed, South Africa's arms manufacturer Denel said.

Denel group chief executive Riaz Saloojee said the company would do everything possible to help the families of the deceased, and would repatriate their bodies at the earliest opportunity.

"We further extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the UN employees who lost their lives," he said.

The Denel staff members in Somalia belonged to a contingent of personnel in the company's humanitarian demining operations, Mechem, and were providing camp management services to the UN's operations in the region.

These included managing and providing catering, cleaning and logistical support, as well as mine-protected vehicles in the region.

In a statement on Thursday, Denel said its staff members remaining in Somalia were not in danger and have been moved to secure facilities.

The company would continue with its work towards the UN's peace-keeping efforts.

'Very unfortunate incident'
"This is a very unfortunate incident, but Denel will continue to support all peace-keeping efforts carried out under the auspices of the United Nations and the African Union.

"In this instance our employees lost their lives while they were providing services to the UN's peace-keeping efforts in the region," said Saloojee.

The remaining Denel employees in Somalia were moved to facilities under the protection of the UN Office for Project Services where they were reported to be safe.

UNDP administrator Helen Clark strongly condemned the attack.

"We are all appalled and deeply saddened by this cowardly attack."

She said on Wednesday that among the UN fatalities were one international staff member, three contractors and four Somali security guards.

A number of Somali civilians were also killed.

"We grieve with the Somali people, the African Union Mission in Somalia and the entire UN family today," said Clark. – Additional reporting by Sapa