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Pilot's fiancée 'worried'
26/03/2008 11:58 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The fiancée of South African pilot Brent Smyth, who was arrested in Zimbabwe during a series of flights chartered to ferry Movement for Democratic Change presidential hopeful Morgan Tsvangirai to the last rallies of his election campaign, said on Wednesday that she is worried.
Smyth's fiancée said he had sent her an SMS early on Wednesday to say that he had been removed from the Harare central police station and was being taken to another venue for questioning.
Drieksie Janse van Rensburg said: "Naturally I am worried. I have no idea why he was arrested."
"We spoke to the Civil Aviation Authority in Zimbabwe and they said all his documents were up to date and immigration said there was no problem."
She added that Smyth has citizenship in South Africa, the UK and Hong Kong.
However, Smyth's clearance permit to be in the country had expired at midnight on Wednesday, while he was in custody.
MDC treasurer Roy Bennett said Smyth could possibly be deported.
This meant that Tsvangirai would have to skip a number of rallies in key rural areas, adversely affecting his campaigning.
"But he is trying to get out as best he can," said Bennett.
Zimbabwean police would not comment on why Smyth was arrested.
"We will issue a statement at 14:00, I cannot give you anything," Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said on Wednesday.
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