By Jeff Wicks
Two South African Muslim clerics have been detained by the Ugandan government on suspicion of being involved in terrorism.
According to reports by Radio Islam, the men were detained by the joint anti-terrorism task force of Uganda at Entebbe International Airport in Kampala on Sunday.
The families of the two Johannesburg men are expected to call on the department of foreign affairs to intervene on their behalf.
Mufti Hussain Bhayat, 57, of Lenasia, and Haroon Saley, believed to be in his early 50s, from Azaadville on Johannesburg’s West Rand, are being held by Ugandan authorities.
The two had apparently arrived in Uganda from Kenya and were to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning.
Ugandan defence and army spokesperson Major Paddy Ankunda said the two are being held by the Ugandan military intelligence.
Foreign Affairs Department spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the arrest of the clerics was yet to be confirmed.
"At this stage we have not been able to verify the arrest of the two men, but we have been in contact with our diplomatic mission in Uganda.
"A team there is liaising with the Ugandan authorities to firstly confirm the arrest. Once confirmed they will facilitate a meeting and offer our counsel."
According to Bhayat’s son, Mahmood, his father had travelled to Nairobi last week.
(This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on August 22, 2008)
Published on the Web by IOL on 2008-08-22 06:12:00
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