DA calls for the immediate release of South African’s held in China

14 July 2015

Five South Africans, from a group of 20 people arrested in China last Friday, remain in a Chinese detention centre. They have not been charged and their alleged crimes remain undisclosed (see report).

On Friday last week, 20 people, including 10 South Africans, were arrested at an airport in Inner Mongolia and detained by Chinese officials.

The DA condemns this action by the People’s Republic of China, as a violation of human rights and international law.

The Chinese agreed to release 11 out of the 20 people detained but the other nine, five of whom are South African, are being held without charge.

As the individuals have not been charged it has been difficult to ascertain the reasons for the arrest but Chinese authorities have suggested that some members were linked to a terror group and claim that they were watching propaganda videos in their hotel room.

The DA calls on South African representatives in China, including the Deputy President, who is currently leading a South African delegation on an official visit to the country, to do all in their power to resolve this diplomatic incident. 

The South Africans, who were on a 47 day tour of China, were not given reasons for their arrest, had their cellphones confiscated and were denied access to their embassies and legal representation. 

We urge South African representatives in China to obtain full clarity on the status of the arrested South Africans and to secure the immediate release and return of our citizens.

Statement issued by Stevens Mokgalapa MP, DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, July 14 2015