adminJOHANNESBURG. – Libyan hotel owner Dr Ali Elzargha has sent a stern message to the South African authorities amid a row over the Marumo Gallants duo who have been detained in Benghazi for the past TWO weeks.
Elzargha was reacting to statements from the Department of International Relations and Corporation and Gallants, who issued an update on officials Rufus Matsena and Amos Dhlomo, the two detained officials.
Gallants owner Abram Sello wrote to Minister Naledi Pandor asking for her intervention on the matter.
The club are the home to Zimbabwe international goalkeeper, Washington Arubi.
In a statement sent to FARPost on Monday, DIRCO called it a criminal offence to hold the two against their will and demanded that they be released by Elzargha.
Both Matsena and Dhlomo are held at a hotel owned by Elzargha, 18 days after their CAF Confederation Cup match against Al Akhdar.
They were left behind as an agreement between Gallants owner Abram Sello and Elzargha that they would be released after the payment of US$37 000 owed to the hotel owner.
“Holding people hostage is a criminal offence, and the South African government will not allow for our nationals to be kidnapped or held against their will.
“This is the reason why we are decisively intervening in this matter to secure their release, and we are quite confident that they will soon be back home,” said the head of public diplomacy at the department, Clayson Monyela.
However, the Libyan businessman questioned why the South African government were calling it a hostage when the two were being well taken care of.
He added that the only time he will release them is when he receives all his money.
“How can I hold these guys hostage when I am giving them everything? They are getting food and internet, and they come in and out and use their phones.
“I don’t know why they use this kind of language.
“The problem here is money, Pay money, and that’s all. Why do they have to go to the Tunisia embassy or Libya? What will the embassy say?
“It will say pay the money, that’s all.”
He added:
“For example, if you are at a restaurant and you eat and don’t pay. They will tell you to go and clean the dishes.
“This is a normal situation, pay my money, and the guys will go. I am not a mafia or a terrorist. It’s a simple thing, I need my money, and they are out.” – FARPost/Sports Reporter
Online Reporter