Allegations that the Israeli secret service was involved in several murders in South Africa have recently appeared in several newspapers here.
Johannesburg’s Weekend Star reported in a front-page story that Mossad agents have been blamed by the South African police for two brutal murders linked to the supply of chemicals for nuclear-weapons technology to countries in the Middle East, particualarly Iraq. A third death is also being investigated.
The police apparently also suspect a possible tie to the previous South African government or agencies working for it, according to the report.
Israeli Ambassador Alon Liel strongly denied the allegations.
The dismembered body of a British immigrant, Alan Kidger, a chemicals specialist and businessman, was found in the trunk of his car three years ago. He disappeared after receiving a suspicious telephone call.
In April 1993, a top chemical engineer, Wynand van Wyk, was bludgeoned to death on the 18th floor of a leading Cape Town hotel, also following an unusual telephone call.
According to the Weekend Star, “the disclosures are known to have caused a diplomatic furor between South African and Israeli officials.”
In an interview with the paper, Liel denied the charges and expressed disappointment that the police had apparently made certain allegations to the media about the Mossad, but had not discussed the issue directly with the Israeli Embassy.
Liel said that whenever incidents occur about Middle East arms sales, the Mossad is the “prime suspect.”
“It happens all over the world. Mysterious murder cases with international connotations are also attributed to Mossad,” Liel said. “Unfortunately, we are getting used to it.’
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
