Memorial Service for Slain South African Diplomat, Kingsley Sithole

Pretoria - A memorial service in honour of the slain South African diplomat, Kingsley Sithole, will be held today Thursday, 22 June, at the Methodist Church corner Visagie and Andries Streets, Pretoria from 11h00 until 13h00.

Sithole was murdered at Kempton Park on Monday, 12 June, by unknown assailants during a visit to his new home with a friend. He was on leave from official duties in Harare to visit his son in Johannesburg who was involved in a school bus accident.

Sithole was one of the ANC diplomats integrated into the Department of Foreign Affairs following the transition to democracy in 1994. He served in the South African High Commission in Swaziland before being posted to Harare as a Counsellor, a post he held until his untimely death.

Kingsley had previously worked for the ANC's Department of International Affairs under the leadership of then Head of Department and now President Thabo Mbeki and current Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad.

Indeed, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, had noted the Department shall forever be indebted to the invaluable contribution that Kingsley had made in the evolution of South African foreign policy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reiterates its condemnation of the callous murder of Kingsley and extends its heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Cheryl, the children and the entire Sithole family during this time of bereavement. In this regard we express our hope that the law enforcement agencies will bring those responsible for his death to book.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, 24 June 2006, in Johannesburg. Details will be released later during the week.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001

22 June 2006