SAfricans held in Uganda
2008-08-21 15:47
Johannesburg - Two South African men have been arrested in Uganda, Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday.
"Consular services have managed to confirm the arrest of these two South Africans," said spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.
"At this stage, efforts are underway to visit them in prison to offer them consular services," he said.
The circumstances of their arrests were not yet known, said Mamoepa.
However, Radio Islam reports that the men are Islamic cleric Mufti Hussain Bhayat, of Lenasia, and Haroon Saley, of Azaadville.
They were en route to Uganda from Kenya and were to have arrived at OR Tambo International airport on Wednesday morning.
Ugandan sources told the radio station the two were detained on Sunday at the Entebbe International Airport in Kampala.
"A government source confirmed this saying that they were stopped by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force of Uganda," it reported.
"Ugandan defence and army spokesperson, Major Paddy Ankunda says the two are being held by the chieftaincy of military intelligence in Uganda.
"He says they are suspected of being involved in so-called terrorism activities and that is what's being investigated."
Radio Islam said that, according to Ankunda, the two had not been tortured.
- SAPA