Johannesburg - A Zimbabwean minister who was assaulted during an armed robbery in Bryanston, should have followed protocol and asked for VIP protection from police, a spokesperson said on Saturday.

"We need to emphasise that it's protocol to ask for protection from the VIP protection unit," police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said.

"We are concerned that he came into this country without following protocol, if any minister comes into the country he must register with the South African government and we will be tasked into protecting him," Naidoo said.

Sitting down to supper

The robbery occurred on Friday evening at the minister's friend's home in Bryanston.

"They were having supper when a number of armed men stormed into the house, tied them up, assaulted them, and demanded money," Crime Intelligence and Interpol spokesperson Tumi Golding said.

The robbers then made of with a number of items, including jewellery, money and electronic goods.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene, and the minister was rushed to hospital for observation as he was hit on the back of the head with a gun.

"He spent the night at the hospital and was discharged this morning [Saturday]."

By SAPA