South African government “happy” that relief workers are safe

By Mikhaila Crowie
30 August 2008

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad briefed the media at the Union buildings yesterday.

He said he was relieved and happy that the two South Africans who were detained in Uganda, were released.

Islamic relief workers Mufti Hussain Bhayat and Haroon Saley were arrested at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport 13 days ago.


“We are happy, that we continued to interact with authorities at every level to seek some access which we got quite quickly.”, Minister Pahad said.

Pahad said the government was on a mission to meet with the detained and get their side of the story and to confirm whether or not they were in good condition.

“We continued to interact with the Ugandans and we were very happy that they have been released now.”