Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - Sunday 25 August, 2002
Thabo Mkhize
A local policeman said criminals viewed the R10-million Africa Centre outside Mtubatuba on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast - which is sponsored by British-based research-funding charity Wellcome Trust Centre - as a "soft target" .
Last week, two of the centre' s 4x4 double-cab vehicles were hijacked, driver Kenneth Barlow was murdered and a female staff member, who was a passenger, was abducted . The hijackings - which were carried out within two days of each other - brought to three the number of vehicles hijacked from the centre since it was officially opened three months ago.
The centre conducts research on population and health trends, including HIV/Aids, in rural communities.
"Everyone is shocked by what is happening. They fear it will have serious consequences if it is not dealt with properly," said Thabo Mofokeng, Africa Centre's spokesman.
He said the centre had offered a reward of R50 000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who shot and killed Barlow. They escaped with the vehicle taking 23-year-old Sindi Sangweni, who was dropped 10km from the scene of the hijacking.
"What these crooks are doing is disgusting. The centre is not only helping the community with various health issues but is also the main employer in this area," said police spokesman Captain Musa Khaba.
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