Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of the United States following the shooting in Orlando, Florida, which has left about 50 people dead and scores injured.
On Monday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the South African government has noted comments by US President Barack Obama following the shooting, where he described the incident as an act of terror.
The department on Monday said the attack, which was targeted at the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, shows extreme levels of intolerance.
“South Africa fully recognises the rights of the LGBTI community and condemns in the strongest possible terms any violent attack targeted at the community,” the department said.
President Zuma said the South African government and people stand with the people of the United States, “particularly the families of those that have lost their lives”.
“We wish all the injured speedy recoveries. We strongly condemn all forms of terrorism, particularly this incident which has claimed so many innocent lives,” said the President.
The department said the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism requires that nations of the world come together and work jointly towards a coordinated international response to this dangerous phenomenon.
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