Held SA doc 'doing aid work'
2004-07-28 23:29
Johannesburg - One of the two South Africans being held in Pakistan on charges of terrorism was there to do welfare work.
A family member of Firoz Abubakar Ganjee, a medical doctor, says he had visited Pakistan before for the same reason.
The other man being held is Zubair Ismail, a student from Laudium.
Ismail's older brother, Farad Ismail, told Beeld on Wednesday that his brother had gone to Pakistan as a tourist.
"We heard for the first time on Sunday night that two South Africans had been arrested in Pakistan. Some of the reports mentioned my brother's name.
"We tried to get answers immediately, but to date neither the department of foreign affairs nor the Pakistani high commissioner have given us any information.
Left South Africa together
"My brother was travelling on a tourist visa, but wanted to investigate the possibility of continuing his Islamic studies in Pakistan. He was due to return to South Africa in September."
Ganjee and Ismail knew each other and left South Africa together on July 10.
The Pakistani high commissioner in Pretoria said on Wednesday they were awaiting information from Pakistan before they commented.
Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson for the department of foreign affairs, said on Wednesday they were compiling a team to visit the two men, but couldn't say when the visit would take place.