A Flemish priest was killed Wednesday in South Africa, according to the website Kerknet.be. Joseph Hollanders, 83, was found dead at his home in the village of Bodibe in the north of the country, according to the Catholic Church website.
The FPS Foreign Affairs has not yet confirmed the information.
The Belgian consulate in Johannesburg will contact local authorities on Thursday, according to ministry spokesman Arnaud Gaspart, interviewed by Belga.
The man was allegedly attacked. According to the victim’s family, the police made the necessary observations on the spot and additional duties on the perpetrators will be carried out. No suspect has yet been arrested, the family said.
According to Kerknet.be, the religious had worked as a missionary for more than half a century in South Africa. The Catholic Church website assumes that he was assaulted at his home shortly after returning from Mass on Sunday.
The funeral took place Wednesday in a cathedral in the city of Klerksdorp, where he was also buried, adds the editorial team online.
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