/ 27 March 2008

South African killed in Iraq

A South African has been killed in unclear circumstances in Iraq, in a week of violent clashes which has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, the Foreign Affairs Department said Thursday. Spokesperson Manusha Pillai said the department had no details on the circumstances of the man's death.

A South African has been killed in unclear circumstances in Iraq, in a week of violent clashes which has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, foreign affairs said Thursday.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs has been informed that a South African citizen was killed in Iraq on Wednesday 26 March 2008,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The family of the deceased has been informed and the Department of Foreign Affairs will render consular assistance with regard to the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.”

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Manusha Pillai said the department had no details on the circumstances of the man’s death, and would not be releasing his name.

A South African contractor was killed by a roadside bomb in August last year, and it is estimated close to 30 South Africans have been killed since the United States-led invasion into Iraq in 2003. – AFP