White South African Killed in Mali Siege

Good Afternoon from Upper Darby!

Here is the article concerning the siege of 3 South Africans in Mali who were a part of the UN contractors there. Two escaped unharmed, but unfortunately the third man was killed;

MALI SIEGE: SA HOSTAGE KILLED

It’s not yet clear how the gunmen got to Janse van Rensburg or the reason for the attack.

Jaco Janse van Rensburg was killed in a Mali hotel during a hostage situation on 07 August 2015. Picture: Facebook.

• Mali
 
• Imtiaz Sooliman
 
• SA hostages in Mali
 
• Mali hotel shooting
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Mia Lindeque | about 5 hours ago

JOHANNESBURG – The family of a South African man who was in a hotel in Mali during a hostage situation have confirmed to Eyewitness News that Roelof Janse van Rensburg has been shot dead.
 
Two other South Africans who were with him part of the United Nations (UN)peace keeping mission were rescued unharmed after gunmen stormed the building yesterday morning.

Van Rensburg's brother-in-law told Eyewitness News the father of four sent his wife in Gauteng a whatsapp messages from his hotel room in Mali and even spoke to her over the phone but his battery died and they lost communication.
 
Cobus Smal confirmed that he spoke to the International Relations Department and the department confirmed the news via Twitter: 

Nelson Kgwete‏@NelsonKgwete

The SA embassy in Mali has confirmed that three citizens were affected by the attack. Two are safe; 38-year-old from Pta lost his life.

• RETWEETS13
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6:15 AM - 8 Aug 2015

Nelson Kgwete‏@NelsonKgwete

The deceased SA national was attached to an aviation company rendering services to the UN contingent in Mali.

• RETWEETS9
• FAVORITES2
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6:22 AM - 8 Aug 2015

He says van Rensburg told his wife that he was scared and could hear the gunfire from his hotel room where he was hiding.
 
It’s not yet clear how the gunmen got to him or the reason for the attack.

2 SA UN CONTRACTORS FREED

Two South Africans are believed to be among a group of four UN contractors who have been freed from the hostage drama in Mali.

The Gift of the Givers' Imtiaz Sooliman says his foundation has made contact with one of their volunteers who was there for work and stayed in the hotel when the shooting happened. 

He says the man is unharmed and is currently at a UN compound.

“We offered him the assistance he requires and he says he is fine.”

But back home the International Relations Department is still waiting for any news from the embassy.

Spokesperson Nelson Kgwete says they don't even know how many South Africans are among the group.

“Once the identities of all the affected people are confirmed the South African embassy will also be kept abreast.”

(Edited by Refilwe Pitjeng)