NATIONAL ASSEMBLY   

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO. 65  

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 31 AUGUST 2004

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO18-2004)

REPLY TO PARLIAMENT ON:  08 SEPTEMBER 04

Mr V.B. Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the Minister for Intelligence: 

Whether, in light of a recent media article (details furnished) stating that the two South Africans being held in Pakistan allegedly told investigators that they were recruited in South Africa and have received basic al-Qaeda training, investigations have been launched to determine whether South Africans are being recruited and given military training to assist such organizations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?                                                                                                                                               

N772E 

REPLY: 

With regard to the first part of the question, it would be invidious of me to comment on what admissions are being made by Dr Feroz Ganchi and Mr Zubair Ismail who were arrested in Pakistan a few weeks ago. 

However, a joint task team consisting of members from the Intelligence Services has been launched to investigate the allegations as listed above and in the media since their arrests.     

Both the Pakistani and South African authorities are also investigating what Dr Ganchi and Mr Ismail were doing in Pakistan and in the company of top al-Qaeda suspect, Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani at the time of the arrest. 

However, we must guard against passing judgement on Dr Ganchi and Mr Ismail, at this point in time.  Until they are afforded an opportunity of a fair trial, they should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

In addition, South Africa is not impervious from global terrorism and we, therefore, need to be on guard.   

We would naturally seek to identify and neutralise any threat within our borders, to ourselves and the international community.  Every effort by our Government is geared towards creating the necessary conditions that will reduce the threat of terrorism and other crimes in our country. 

While there has been no direct terrorist threats, our monitoring and investigation strives to prevent any groups or individuals from using South Africa and its people to plan such activities. 

I also wish to take this opportunity to caution our people against stereotyping specific religious or cultural communities as the enemy. 

We are confident that we can rely on our law abiding citizens to co-operate. 

I thank the Honourable Member.