SOUTH AFRICA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM HIGH COMMISSIONER'S EMBASSY OFFICES http://iafrica.com/news/sa/402649.htm

Robbers strike thrice at embassy
Fri, 10 Nov 2006

Police on Friday were investigating a robbery that occurred at the Bangladeshi High Commission in Pretoria.

Six armed men gained entry into the High Commission on Thursday after overpowering the security guards.

The robbers fled with a safe and hundreds of thousands of rands in cash, and jewellery, valuables, computers and a security guard's gun.

Provincial police spokesperson Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo confirmed that an investigation was under way.

On what the police were doing to ensure safety in the area, Mariemuthoo said patrolling would be stepped up.

This was the third time in less than three weeks that the High Commission has been attacked.

The Pretoria News reported that a gang of armed robbers were recently scared off by security guards after breaking into the High Commissioner Nasima Haider's residence.

Haider said she was forced to call senior police officers after no one at Sunnyside police station answered her calls for help.

She said she and staff at the High Commission feared for their safety.

Another diplomat said the High Commission would not be able to function without vital information contained in the stolen computers.

"We are now like a rudderless ship," said the diplomat.

He said the way police had handled calls for help was shocking.

"For the past two weeks we have been sent from pillar to post with no one giving us any help at all.

"They promise patrols but we never see any. We are promised help, but it does not happen."

Last week a security guard at the Philippines ambassador's home was critically injured when he was shot twice in the chest at point-blank range, the Pretoria News reported.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the attacks were a major concern and receiving "the highest levels of attention".

Sapa