South African diplomat who ‘trashed’ apartment in Vienna accused of causing damage worth R53k in India

• A South African diplomat allegedly left damages to his rented apartment in Vienna worth near R714 000.
• He is accused of one thing related at a earlier posting in India.
• Dirco is attempting to get well the damages incurred in India, worth R53 612.

A South African diplomat, who allegedly left damages of near R714 000 to an apartment in Vienna, additionally allegedly broken his lodgings at a earlier deployment and remains to be to pay it again.

In March, it was reported that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) launched an investigation into allegations that South African diplomat, David Kweli Nkosi, left his rented apartment in Austria in a horrific and broken state.

In a written parliamentary question, DA MP Darren Bergman requested International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor the next questions:

What is the whole quantity of damages left by Nkosi on the property in Vienna, Austria, which he rented till August 2020? Whether her division has made preparations to pay again the proprietor for the damages? Whether Nkosi had a earlier challenge or related allegation throughout a previous posting in India? Whether her division paid for the damages in India; if not, has the official been requested to pay any of the money again? What whole quantity so far has been collected from the person?

Pandor answered that the alleged damage incurred by Nkosi quantities to €42 000, or R713 988.

“The department was advised by the mission that there are no arrangements made to pay back damages as the mission did not agree with the landlord’s claim. A request for a legal opinion has been submitted, with a view to getting guidance on the legal options available to the department to recover the debt,” she stated.

Pandor confirmed that there was an analogous allegation in opposition to Nkosi at a earlier posting in India.

“As a result, the landlord in New Delhi submitted a report on damages to the property that was occupied by the official to the amount of INR306 850 (R53 612.20).”

Pandor stated the division paid for the damages in India, and Nkosi hasn’t paid the money again.

“No amount has been recovered from the official, however, an email was sent on 14 May 2021 to advocate Nkosi in an attempt to recover the amount paid for damages in India,” Pandor stated.