By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation has slammed media reports that hundreds of ex-Islamic state or Isis fighters have been receiving assistance by government to be repatriated to South Africa from Syria.
Various media reports have indicated that government has been assisting groups of South Africans and their families in Syria to return to the country.
It’s been reported that these people are part of groups that have for several years fought and assisted the Islamic State in Syria.
The department’s Clayson Monyela has described the reports as irresponsible.
“It is important to know that DIRCO is entrusted with the responsibility of providing consular services to any South African in distress abroad. In a transparent manner, 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”, says Monyela.
Monyela has acknowledged that the department is currently assisting sixteen women and children to return, however their identities and nationality is still being verified.
In March, government said it was working with the US to catch SA-based Isis ‘financial facilitators.’
Ministers of Finance Enoch Godongwana and Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola noted steps taken by the United States, saying the SA government “remains committed to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and will not allow our territory to be used to fund terrorism in other countries.”
Isis facilitators based in South Africa have allegedly been linked to recruitment, robberies, kidnapping and extortion.