Counselor Chen Ling of the Chinese embassy in Pretoria said on
Monday, "Since June this year, there have been some serious
criminal acts targeting Chinese nationals. Four innocent Chinese
business people were murdered. The criminals not only want their
money, but also their lives."
Chen told M. M. Lefka, director of the National Evaluation
Services of the South African Police Service (SAPS), "All these
criminal acts have threatened the lives and property of Chinese
nationals living in South Africa and aroused fear among the Chinese
communities here."
On June 22, Mo Yiyan was shot to death in his own shop at Celtis
Center in Brits. Businessman Lin Wenbin was kidnapped in the same
city on June 23 and his body was found under a bridge two days
later. In Witbank on July 16, two black men attacked Zhang Yali and
shot her dead. On the same day, businessman Lin Dehai was shot and
killed by two black men as he was returning home from his shop in
Durban.
Chen Ling said: "Every day, the embassy receives many phone
calls inquiring about these cases and the status of the
investigation by the South African police. But so far none of the
cases has been resolved and the perpetrators have not been brought
to justice."
"I urgently request that the South African Police Department
effectively investigate the killings and bring the criminals to
justice as soon as possible," she said.
The counselor also urged the South African police to take steps
to protect better the lives and property of Chinese nationals.
"Otherwise it is very difficult for us to soothe the bereaved
families and explain to the Chinese people back at home."
"We believe life is the most precious commodity of mankind. The
number of Chinese people coming to South Africa for tourism and
investment will be deeply affected if the safety of lives and
property cannot be guaranteed," she stated.
The South African director expressed his shock over the killings
and sympathy to families of the deceased. He pledged that SAPS
would do its best to protect Chinese nationals and bring those
responsible to justice.
(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2004)