Posted on 11/25/2006 6:24:41 PM PST by Irisshlass
MASERU, Lesotho (AP) - A Dutch aid worker with the Clinton Foundation was shot to death at the house of Lesotho's trade and industry minister, police said Saturday.
Samuella Jacobina Verwey, 36, her husband and two American aid workers arrived late Friday at Minister Mpho Malie's house. As they left the car, heavy gunfire erupted, police spokesman Pheelo Mphana said.
The minister and his wife were in neighboring South Africa at the time. The whereabouts of the four guards at Malie's residence were unknown. The aid workers were staying on the property.
Mphana said 24 AK-47 assault rifle shells were found at the scene of the shooting, but said police did not know a motive in the attack, which was similar to one against Lesotho Foreign Minister Monyane Moleleki earlier this year, when he was shot in the arm at his home.
It is also similar to the one that claimed the life of a popular politician and member of Lesotho's parliament, Bereng Sekhonyana, in August.
Former President Clinton offered his condolences in a statement and said he hoped her killers would be brought to justice.
"I am grateful to Ellen for her lasting contribution in Lesotho and the courage and leadership she showed in joining the fight against the AIDS epidemic in Africa," he said.
The attack on Malie's house came just hours after the head of state of Lesotho, King Letsie III, announced the dissolution of the country's sixth parliament to pave the way for general elections in February, three months earlier than scheduled.
Along with Foreign Minister Moleleki, Malie is seen as a major contender for the leadership of the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy after the current leader, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, quits.
Lesotho has endured repeated political violence since it gained independence from Britain in 1966, and it suffered heavily from its dependence on neighboring South Africa under apartheid. There was a military coup in 1986 and Letsie III was installed as king by the army in 1987 after his father was forced into exile. After more upheavals, troops from South Africa and Botswana briefly occupied the capital in 1998 and 1999, allegedly to try to restore order.
The last elections in 2002 were generally deemed the fairest to date. But the benefits of democracy have been blunted by rampant poverty and one of the world's highest AIDS rates.
The Clinton Foundation runs HIV/AIDS programs in the poor mountain kingdom. Clinton said Verwey had trained local doctors and nurses in Lesotho to care for AIDS patients.
Nothing to see here, we mean good and that's all that counts!
Add 'em to the Clinton mystery death list.
The Clinton body count:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=14583
Bubba and the Beast really ought to come with a warning label: "The Surgeon General has determined that working for the Clintons can be hazardous to your health..."
And, by extension his, too?
LOL!
They were staying at the Ministers house.The Minister was conveniently out of town. Thats tells us they were definitely not after the Minister. The guards were missing. Not a good sign. Even the worst shooter should be able to tell the difference between a male Minister and this woman. It sure looks like a set-up tp get this woman.
I found it amazing how quickly he did reply.
That was my first thought. I just couldn't figure out a delicate way to ask if it was a publicity stunt.
Bookmark
Didn't alamo girl have a running body count at one time?- up to about 125 by the late 90's?
The guards were missing.
I thought this was planned after reading that.
Why amazing? He looked in the mirror and said, "Oh my God, I'm an NGO!" It's like the 2nd child he never had (or the first)? ;)
frankly that took me back..It is a pattern I'm recognized. The Clinton's always mention blah blah blah and courage when a deceased soul is discussed. It sounds almost incriminating to me.
Unlikely that a Dutch woman would be a former body guard, like the four shot (the only four government people) at Carmel.
Another grope or rape victim?
Nah, probably just coincidence.
Prayers for her and her family.
Write your Congressman. What you get in return is a form letter.
This is Clinton's form speech on the death of anyone involved in any way with him.
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