SA lends support to terror accused

Hanekom held in Mozambique

Pretoria is in contact with maritime businessman Andre Hanekom, who has been arrested on terrorism charges in Mozambique. Revealing this yesterday, international relations minister Lindiwe Sisulu said: “We are aware that a South African‚ Mr Hanekom‚ has been held by the Mozambican government.

“Our ambassador in Mozambique has located him and has communicated both with the family and ourselves and he’s made himself available to interact with Mr Hanekom so we can give all the necessary support to him.” Hanekom‚ 61‚ who owns a slipway and maritime logistics company in Mozambique’s gas-rich northern region of Cabo Delgado‚ was arrested in August last year after gunmen tried to drive him off the road. The men‚ one of whom shot him in the arm and stomach‚ turned out to be police officers. The Sunday Times reported last week that Hanekom was briefly hospitalised and officers initially claimed they were holding him for his own safety after rescuing him from kidnappers linked to the extremist group Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama‚ which allegedly wants Cabo Delgado as a separatist state. “However‚ in October he appeared in court‚ with authorities claiming Hanekom – fondly known as baba mzungu [white father] among locals – was linked to the organisation‚” the newspaper wrote.