Gang raid on South Africa’s Irish embassy raises fears for security

PRESSURE will be applied on the South African police to step up security for diplomats after an armed gang attack on the Irish ambassador’s residence.

Staff were recovering last night after an armed attack on the Irish ambassador’s home in Pretoria.

The ordeal occurred on Thursday night in the administrative capital when an armed gang wielding guns and knives attacked a security guard outside the premises.

The gang then forced their way into the embassy, located on Bramley Street in the district of Arcadia.

Fortunately, Ireland’s new ambassador Colin Wrafter and his wife, Aisling de Burca, were not at the residence.

A housekeeper, who heard a guard’s screams, escaped harm by locking herself into a room after the gang gained entry to the residence via a patio door.

The alarm was raised by this stage, however, and one of the raiders spotted a security van approaching. The gang then made an escape.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern’s offices yesterday confirmed the South African police would be asked to step up security.

“A guard was slightly injured and taken to hospital. The ambassador and his wife were both out at the time. The housekeeper was in the house but unhurt. Some intruders managed to briefly enter the house but didn’t take anything. They left when the security service, used by the embassy, arrived.”

Pretoria’s embattled diplomatic community have faced a number of attacks in recent months. In the past few weeks, offices and the residence of the Bangladeshi diplomatic community were burgled. Pressure is being put on the South African government to intervene and increase protection for diplomatic groups.

Staff at the Irish Embassy conducted a security review in October, placing a guard at entrance gates. Two security specialists trained staff on what actions to take if they were caught up in a hijacking, house robbery or rape.

The Irish mission in Pretoria provides assistance to thousands of tourists visiting South Africa annually, as well as the 20,000 people from Ireland living there. It also handles development aid and trade issues between the two countries.

A former government press officer, Mr Wrafter became ambassador last April. He was previously attached to the Irish mission to the UN.