Ramaphosa ‘saddened, shocked’ at Shinzo Abe assassination
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences following the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Minister Shinzo Abe died in hospital on Friday, hours after being shot at a political campaign event in an attack condemned as "absolutely unforgivable".
“I have learned with sadness and shock of the passing of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” Ramaphosa said.
"On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, I offer my sincere condolences to Mr Abe’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as the Government and people of Japan as a close and special partner to our nation.
"The violence that claimed Prime Minister Abe’s life is a call on all of us to work for non-violence, peace and tolerance in all parts of the globe."
A hearse carrying the body of Abe arrived in Tokyo on Saturday after he was shot at close range on the campaign trail.
The murder of Japan's best-known politician rattled the country and sent shockwaves around the world, particularly given the nation's low levels of violent crime and strict gun laws.
Senior members of Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party lined up to pay their respects as the vehicle, believed to be carrying his wife Akie Abe, entered the couple's residence in the capital.
The man accused of Friday's shooting is in custody, with police saying he had confessed to killing the former premier, motivated by a belief Abe was linked to an unspecified organisation.
