Counselor Chen Ling of the Chinese embassy in Pretoria said on Monday, "Since June this year, there have been some serious criminal acts targeting Chinese nationals. Four innocent Chinese business people were murdered. The criminals not only want their money, but also their lives."

Chen told M. M. Lefka, director of the National Evaluation Services of the South African Police Service (SAPS), "All these criminal acts have threatened the lives and property of Chinese nationals living in South Africa and aroused fear among the Chinese communities here."

On June 22, Mo Yiyan was shot to death in his own shop at Celtis Center in Brits. Businessman Lin Wenbin was kidnapped in the same city on June 23 and his body was found under a bridge two days later. In Witbank on July 16, two black men attacked Zhang Yali and shot her dead. On the same day, businessman Lin Dehai was shot and killed by two black men as he was returning home from his shop in Durban.

Chen Ling said: "Every day, the embassy receives many phone calls inquiring about these cases and the status of the investigation by the South African police. But so far none of the cases has been resolved and the perpetrators have not been brought to justice."

"I urgently request that the South African Police Department effectively investigate the killings and bring the criminals to justice as soon as possible," she said.

The counselor also urged the South African police to take steps to protect better the lives and property of Chinese nationals. "Otherwise it is very difficult for us to soothe the bereaved families and explain to the Chinese people back at home."

"We believe life is the most precious commodity of mankind. The number of Chinese people coming to South Africa for tourism and investment will be deeply affected if the safety of lives and property cannot be guaranteed," she stated.

The South African director expressed his shock over the killings and sympathy to families of the deceased. He pledged that SAPS would do its best to protect Chinese nationals and bring those responsible to justice.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2004)