Parliament on Sunday condemned “the criminal attack on members of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) while being driven from OR Tambo International Airport to their hotel in Sandton”.

“Details surrounding the incidents are still under investigation by the police‚” it said in a statement‚ before adding: “We can say with confidence that of the four members only was seriously injured and is recovering in hospital.” 

Reports in the media said that the delegate in hospital is from Senegal and she suffered a gunshot in the ambush last Thursday.

“On behalf of the Parliament of South Africa‚ the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces‚ condemn these acts of violence against the public representatives of our sister parliaments‚” the statement said.

 It went on to say support was being given to the “members who were affected” and the “Department of International Relations has been in continuous support to the honourable members and has sent its representative to give counsel to the affected members”.

 “We urge the law enforcement agencies to accost these perpetrators and bring them to book‚” the statement said. 

“The security and safety of all Members of Parliament is of paramount importance to South Africa and its Parliament.

“In ensuring the safety of our public representatives to fulfil their constitutional mandate our Parliament will work with the PAP to assess the safety and security of members and address any weaknesses that may exist.”

Previous sittings of the PAP in Johannesburg have seen similar attacks on visiting delegates.

And‚ two weeks ago‚ Sunday World reported that a police officer attached to the PAP was arrested and charged for theft and malicious damage to property by his Midrand colleagues after he was allegedly caught stealing toilet rolls from work.