Soweto tavern massacre: Qatar retracts ‘violence and terrorism’ statement, says Dirco

Cape Town – Qatar’s foreign affairs ministry has retracted its statement that stated its “rejection of the violence and terrorism” in relation to the mass shooting at a Soweto tavern.

The statement, which has since been deleted from the ministry’s Twitter page, raised a lot of eyebrows, with some questioning its authenticity while others questioned the “diplomatic etiquette”.

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The statement read: “The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the shooting incident which took place in the suburb of Soweto in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa and led to deaths and injuries.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar’s firm position on the rejection of violence and terrorism, regardless of the motives and reasons. The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of South Africa.”

Why would the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the State of Qatar condemn the shooting at a tavern in SOWETO, South Africa? I am not versed in diplomatic etiquette but something is very offish about this statement. Notwithstanding it may be coming from a good heart. pic.twitter.com/VHz6Y3jVO2

— African Renaissance ???? (@MadiBoity) July 10, 2022

Qatar issued the statement shortly after the killing of 15 people at the Soweto tavern in the early hours of Sunday.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson, Clayson Monyela confirmed the statement in question was deleted, following his discussion with Qatar Ambassador.

He said that Qatar was a “good friend” to South Africa and that the statement was intended to “pledge its solidarity which was welcome”.