DA wants clarity if SANDF were held hostage in Sudan

Loyiso Langeni

17 June 2015

The Democratic Alliance has called on Defence Minister Nosiwe Mapisa Nqakula to clarify if South African Soldiers were held hostage in Sudan.

This comes after reports emerged on Tuesday that South African peacekeepers in North Darfur were held hostage by members of the Sudanese army while the drama around Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's possible arrest during the African Union summit in Johannesburg escalated. 

DA MP of Defence and Military Veterans David Maynier said the minister of Defence should make a public statement clearing what has become a dispute fact.

On one hand sources within Military in Sudan said the SANDF have been threatened by the Sudanese Army and possible held hostage on the other hand the Department of Defence are saying that there is no truth to the allegations.

"This is a very serious matter and for that reason I believe that the minister should issue a public statement confirming or denying the rumour that SANDF were held hostage in Sudan." Maynier added.