DENEL REGRETS LOSS OF EMPLOYEES' LIVES IN SOMALIA
Denel confirms with regret that three of its employees, including two South African nationals, were killed in an attack on a United Nations (UN) facility in Somalia this morning. Denel was providing support to an international peace-keeping effort by the UN.
The names of the deceased cannot be confirmed at this stage until their families have been informed. The third Denel employee that was killed is a Somalian citizen.
The Group Chief Executive of Denel SOC, Riaz Saloojee, has expressed deep sadness at the loss of lives; saying the company will do everything in its power to provide emotional support to the families of the deceased during this time of bereavement. "We further extend our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of the UN employees who lost their lives today."
"This is a very unfortunate incident but Denel will continue to support all peace-keeping efforts carried out under the auspices of the United Nations and the African Union. In this instance our employees lost their lives while they were providing services to the UN's peacekeeping efforts in the region," says Mr Saloojee.
The Denel staff in Somalia belongs to a contingent of personnel from the company's humanitarian demining operations, Mechem, and were providing camp management services to the UN operations in the region, which included the management and provision of catering, cleaning and logistical support as well as mine protected vehicles in the region.
The remaining employees of Denel in Somalia have been moved to facilities under the protection of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) where they are reported to be safe.
Denel's information is that the attack on the UN compound took place at 11h00 this morning (19 June). Insurgents gained access to the facility and fired at people inside the camp.
At least 16 people were reportedly killed and an unconfirmed number wounded. No Denel employee is reported to be among the injured.
Denel will provide support to local and international agencies that have already started to investigate the incident. The company will also make the necessary arrangements to repatriate the bodies of the South Africans who lost their lives at the earliest opportunity.
"Investigations into the incident are continuing and we will inform South Africans as information becomes available," Mr Saloojee said.
Statement issued by Vuyelwa Qinga, Group Communications Manager, Denel, June 19 2013
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