Diplomatic Assistance by the South African Government to the South Africans arrested in Equatorial Guinea for allegedly Plotting to overthrow the Government of the country and for the South Africans arrested in Pakistan for allegedly being involved in Terrorist Activities

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO 25

STANDING OVER FROM 18 AUGUST 2004 -
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 OF 10 AUGUST 2004

MR D A GIBSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

(1) Whether it took the Government longer to provide diplomatic assistance to the South -Africans arrested in Equatorial Guinea for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of the country than to those in Pakistan for allegedly being involved in terrorist activities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons for this disparity;

(2) On what date did a representative of the Government (a) become aware that South African citizens had been arrested in (i) Equatorial Guinea and (ii) Pakistan and (b) first visit the South Africans held in Equatorial Guinea and Pakistan, respectively? N486E

REPLY:

(1) No.

Consular assistance to South African citizens arrested abroad is provided uniformly in terms of rules and procedures of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

(2) (a) (i) 9 March 2004, as advised by diplomatic note by the Embassy of
Equatorial Guinea in Pretoria. The South Africans were arrested on 8 March 2004.
(ii) 26 July 2004 from media reports in Pakistan. The South Africans were arrested on 25 July 2004.
(b) (i) On 18 March 2004 by a small group of South African Government
officials. This was followed by a visit on 19 March 2004 by our Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, based in Libreville, and other members of the group of Government officials.
(ii) No consular visit has yet been approved by the Pakistani authorities to the two South African citizens.