Mystery shrouds deaths of SA men

The department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has no knowledge of two South Africans who were reportedly killed while fighting in Syria.

Two young men from Port Elizabeth are said to have been killed in the Syria conflict in recent weeks.

African News Agency contacted the father of one of the Port Elizabeth men who is believed to have died, but he refused to speak to the media.

Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said that nothing had been reported to the department.

“If they don’t inform us, there’s no way of knowing. The people who inform us and find themselves in a situation of distress could receive government assistance,” said Monyela.

Meanwhile, social cohesion activist Yusuf Abramjee called on South Africans not to travel to Syria and other conflict regions to join the fighting.

Abramjee was addressing more than 200 women at a fundraising breakfast in Port Elizabeth when he made the remark.

He said news emerged last week that young men from South Africa had been killed in the Syria conflict.

They had apparently joined rebel groups.

“We, as South Africans, have no business to go and fight abroad,” said Abramjee. “Our laws prohibit it, also. I am happy many Muslim leaders agree it is not jihad.”

He called on South African youth not to be indoctrinated.

“Let’s rather focus our energies and efforts on humanitarian needs and make a difference by assisting the victims of the war.”

Abramjee said the #SAveSyria initiative by #OperationSA had raised almost R14 million in just under two months.

Donations were distributed to seven charities.

Abramjee said the Syrian regime must also be strongly condemned for killing innocent civilians.

“They are murderers and our government must take a stand and condemn them.

“Killing innocent people, be it by the Syrian regime, Islamic State or any other group is unacceptable.

“We must all say no to violence.” – ANA