Head of UN food agency condemns murder of South African employee

The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today condemned the murder of a South African employee of the agency's Johannesburg office during an armed robbery Thursday evening.

According to WFP, Genesh Harichund, a national of South Africa, was shot as he and his colleagues were preparing to leave for home.

"I deplore this brutal killing and extend my most heartfelt condolences to Mr. Harichund's family," Executive Director James T. Morris said in a statement issued from the agency's Rome headquarters. "WFP condemns this shocking murder and urges the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation."

Mr. Harichund, 30, had been a staff assistant for two months as part of the logistics team at the Management Coordination Unit, which is working to feed 13 million people affected by the current crisis in southern Africa. Despite his brief time at WFP's new office, Mr. Morris said Mr. Harichund stood out because of his hard work and good nature.

Mr. Harichund leaves behind his parents and two brothers.

In the past 14 years, 58 WFP employees have been murdered or have died in the line of duty.