South Africans 'in wrong place'

2008-08-22 14:28

Johannesburg - The two South Africans believed to have been detained in Uganda may have been "in the wrong place at the wrong time", a spokesperson appointed by their families said on Friday.

Yousha Tayob said that while the full details surrounding the reported detention of Hussain Bhayat and Haroon Saley at Uganda's Entebbe Airport were not yet known, he understood that the two had been detained for interrogation linked to allegations of terror.

"We understand from Foreign Affairs that they are being held. At this stage the issue of being held under terrorism legislation is unclear," said Tayob.

Meanwhile they were in the dark on whether the two faced any charges and were in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

But he believed that they were victims of circumstance because one of the group of people hosting them in Uganda had previously been under investigation on terrorism allegations.

"They are victims of circumstance," said Tayob.

He said the two had been on their way back to South Africa from doing relief work in Kenya for the Islamic Relief organisation Crescent of Hope. They had a stopover in Uganda as part of their work and it was there that they are believed to have been detained.

Spokesperson for South Africa's Foreign Affairs Department Ronnie Mamoepa said they were liaising with officials and were not yet in a position to confirm an arrest or detention.

Uganda's New Vision Online newspaper said the two were arrested on Monday with two other Ugandans, also Muslims.

The newspaper said they were arrested by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force at 02:00 on Monday.

Army spokesperson Major Paddy Ankunda was quoted as saying: "Security had interest in them and picked them up. They are with us and helping with investigations."

Meanwhile, Tayob said he was also trying to make arrangements for medical treatment for Bhayat, who goes to Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital twice a month to manage a chest condition.

The Crescent of Hope is an organisation that helps Muslims fulfil their religious humanitarian and charity obligations, according to its website.

- SAPA