'Rashid wanted to be deported'

2006-06-09 17:14

Johannesburg - The Pakistan government has acknowledged Khalid Rashid's arrival in the country, said the South African government on Thursday.

"We can confirm that the Pakistani government has acknowledged, in writing, that Rashid arrived in Pakistan on 6 November 2005," read a justice, crime prevention and security cluster statement.

"Government can confirm he was handed over to Pakistani officials who travelled to South Africa to receive him."

The statement said the Pakistani government had confirmed Rashid's arrival in official correspondence to the South African High Commission in Islamabad, and Rashid was "in good health".

The government said Rashid was given an opportunity to oppose his deportation but "indicated his willingness to be deported".

The man Rashid was arrested with was afforded the same opportunity and elected to appeal against the deportation, said the statement.

'Grounds' for deportation

The government statement said the right to decide who entered and remained in South Africa was a fundamental aspect of state sovereignty, and that the department of home affairs was charged with the responsibility of implementing immigration law and preventing illegal immigration.

The government said it was aware of allegations that Rashid was connected to international terrorist cells, but this was "not sufficient grounds to extradite him".

There were, however, grounds to deport him as an illegal foreigner.

The statement said "extra care had to be taken with regard to the deportation, and special transport arrangements were agreed upon between the department and our security agencies".

According to the statement, Rashid's deportation was undertaken in co-operation with Pakistan authorities.

The statement said the government had wanted to deal with the issue without raising alarm, taking into account the implications on those whom Rashid relied on to enter and stay in the country.

'Deported within days of arrest'

"In this regard, we are concerned that the campaign being waged by Rashid's legal representative, Zahir Omar, has the effect of creating complications that our country can ill-afford," read the statement.

"Omar's unfounded and deleterious insinuations that our country can engage in abduction - and his unethical behaviour in handling this case - are not only harmful to community relations in our society, but they also have the effect of undermining the international standing of our country."

Home affairs officials said Rashid was deported within days of his arrest.

There were fears in the Muslim community that Rashid may have been taken to an international detention centre.

Home affairs minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula released some information - pursuant to a court order - on Tuesday.

The State attorney sent a written answer to Omar on Tuesday, in which he said the State could not provide a flight number or the place where the plane landed.

- SAPA