Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 15: Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in South Africa, Dhundup Gyalpo, narrowly escaped a firebomb attack on his residence and office in Lyttelton Manor, Centurion, late Wednesday night, October 14, after the property was engulfed in flames, causing extensive damage to the building, furniture and official documents.
The attack occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. local time, when petrol bombs were allegedly hurled at the property. Dhundup Gyalpo awoke to the sound of breaking glass and soon realised that smoke was filling his home. With his escape route obstructed by the fire and thick smoke, he was forced to break a bedroom window and climb outside to safety. He sustained minor injuries after stepping on broken glass while escaping.
Emergency services and local security personnel were dispatched to the scene to contain the blaze. The full extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.
In a video recording of the aftermath, Dhundup Gyalpo documented the extensive destruction to his home and office, offering a glimpse of the devastation left by the alleged firebombing.
The latest incident is particularly troubling given that he reportedly experienced a similar attack on the same property on July 6, 2026, coinciding with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday. Three petrol bombs were allegedly thrown at the premises during that incident, although no significant damage was reported.
Speaking to Daily Maverick, he expressed concern that the incident might have been intended to convey a political message rather than constitute an ordinary criminal act. criminality. He raised the possibility of broader political forces being involved, although no perpetrators or definitive motive had been publicly established.
The attack has raised serious concerns over the safety of the Dalai Lama’s representative and the circumstances surrounding the targeting of his residence and office. South African police were reportedly investigating the incident. The circumstances surrounding the latest attack, including whether it was politically motivated or connected to the earlier incident, remain unclear at the moment.
The post Dalai Lama’s South Africa Office destroyed by firebomb attack, his representative escapes unharmed appeared first on Phayul.