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MRN questions arrest of SAfricans in China

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The Media Review Network (MRN) has welcomed government’s quick response in acting on the arrest of 10 South African nationals in China, but in the same breathe has questioned its failure to respond in the same manner with regards to the Sheikh Abdus Salaam Jad Bassiouni case.The 10 individuals are part of a tour group of 20 people currently being detained without charge in Ordos City, in the Inner Mongolian region of China. The group, also compromising nine British and one Indian national, were apprehended by Chinese officials on Friday, 30 days into a planned 47-day tour of the country. News of their arrest only reached local shores on Sunday, with the Department of International Relations and Co-operations (DIRCO) finding out through the Gift of the Givers (GOTG).

Whilst charges have as yet not been laid, it is believed that authorities believe some individuals in the group may have viewed ‘propaganda videos’ in their hotel room relating to a ‘banned group’. This has led to suspicions of links to a radical organisation.

The news comes with deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa currently in China as part of a trade delegation.

MRN researcher, Nabila Ismail said the incident demanded a need for a proper definition of the ‘war on terror’, suggesting many countries were using the narrative as an opportunity to label Muslims under the banner of terrorism.

She also questioned government’s failure to act in a similar fashion with regards to the arrest and detention of Sheikh Bassiouni, a South African national who has been held in an Egyptian prison for more than seven months without charge.

“He has had no consular access from any South African diplomatic staff in Cairo, whereas, as I understand it our diplomatic staff in China have been in contact with the arrested. The MRN would also like to know what the difference is between China and Egypt regarding South African passport holders,” she asserted.

Since the incident, South African and British authorities have successfully negotiated the release of 11 of the 20, who will remain in detention until they are able to successfully get a flight out of the country. The remaining nine, of which five are South African, remain in police custody and with little chance of release until charges have been laid.

Fellow MRN researcher, Ibrahim Vawda suspected government’s swift response could be attributed to the strong economic ties it holds with China.

“It is interesting to note what is going to happen to the balance of the South Africans still being held,” he said.

But Vawda was critical of Chinese authorities who he suggested have “manipulated the episode”, questioning how the group could have had access to the alleged propaganda material, in a country infamous for its media and internet censorship.

“We know the Chinese government is not really an open government, and they have very strict controls over what does and does not appear in the media. Now you have this kind of an allegation…it really doesn’t add up and it doesn’t make much sense,” he added. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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1 comment

  1. Its rules need to b followed no house without its on rules but thanks for Gvt attention shows yu care

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