Photo: AP
PANA
Cape Town, South Africa – The South African who was killed during this weekend’s terrorist attack in Kenya has been identified as James Thomas from Cape Town.
The 57-year-old businessman was in Kenya working for EcoVentures International as a field associate when Islamic militants attacked the Westgate mall on Saturday, leaving 68 dead and 175 injured.
A family spokesperson said Thomas was shot once in the attack.
Plans are underway to transport his body back to South Africa and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Marius Fransman is working closely with Kenyan authorities to make sure this process is completed as soon as possible.
On Sunday, Fransman visited Thomas’ grieving widow Colleen to personally convey President Jacob Zuma’s condolences.
Earlier, President Zuma had condemned the terrorist attack, saying “South Africa continues to support efforts by Kenya and the international community aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia.”
Somalia-based al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack.
