/ 29 January 2002

4 litres of petrol, a knife and a box of matches…

Nairobi | Tuesday

KENYAN police arrested a South African who tried to set his country’s high commission on fire because it allegedly refused to help him after he was robbed officials said on Tuesday.

Joseph Makhosan Makhuvele on Monday tried to enter the embassy carrying four litres of petrol, a knife and a match box, but guards called the police and he was arrested, said police representative Peter Kimanthi.

Makhuvele claims that he is stranded in Nairobi, unable to proceed with his journey to Ethiopia, following a mugging incident during which he lost all his cash and his passport.

He said his country’s mission here has refused to provide him with a plane ticket and travel documents so that he could go back home.

Kimanthi said Mukhuvele, who according to a newspaper here is a former African National Congress soldier, will soon be charged with attempted arson or preparing to commit a felony. – AFP