The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has rejected claims that hundreds of ex-Islamic state or ISIS fighters have been receiving assistance from the government to be repatriated to South Africa from Syria.
Instead, it says the department is helping distressed citizen who are overseas and who are trying to make their way back to South Africa. Media reports over the weekend indicate that government is helping South Africans and their families in Syria to come back to the country. It is alleged that these people are part of groups that have fought and assisted ISIS for several years.
Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the department has taken note of the reports.
“The South African Embassy in Syria is monitoring the situation of 16 women and children who are in Syria, to confirm their South African citizenship and provide assistance. Consultations with Syrian authorities are ongoing in this regard.
“It is important to note that Dirco is entrusted with the responsibility of providing Consular Services to any South African in distress abroad, in a transparent manner and within the framework of the South African and International Law. The newspaper reports alleging that Dirco has facilitated the repatriation of hundreds of ISIS fighters are devoid of any truth and violate the Press Code,” Monyela said.
Meanwhile, the government in March said it was supporting the United States, as it was clamping down on four Islamic State linked members allegedly based in South Africa who were assisting with funding its groups across the continent.
Source: The Citizen, Eyewitness News, The South African, Image from Twitter
