An official of the Vietnamese embassy to South Africa was shot and seriously injured in a robbery at his Pretoria residence at the weekend, police said on Sunday.
The man, believed to be in his late forties, was shot in the stomach in a scuffle with one of five intruders who surprised the official, his wife and two children at home on Saturday evening.
“The robbers took a cellphone and a digital diary before fleeing,” said police spokesperson Inspector Paul Ramaloko. He could not give the official’s name.
The man was rushed to a Pretoria hospital, where he was said to be recovering in the intensive care unit.
The embassy declined to comment.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest crime rates, with about 50 people murdered every day.
Earlier this month, officials from the South Africa-based Pan African Parliament expressed fears for their safety after a number fell victim to violent attacks. — AFP