/ 4 February 1999

AMBASSADORIAL ASSAULT?

LIBERIA’S ambassador to South Africa has accused white police or traffic officers of assaulting him, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. Llwellyn Witherspoon sent a written complaint to the ministry saying he was assaulted last month after he lost his way in Centurion, near Pretoria, a spokesperson said. Witherspoon claimed the officials told him to return to his country and take any complaints about his treatment to President Nelson Mandela and Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. The ambassador also informed the security ministry, his government and all other ambassadors in the country of the incident. The foreign ministry has asked police and traffic officials in Centurion for further information.