SA man charged with assisting extreme groups in Mozambique
South African, André Mayer Hanekom, has made his first court appearance in Mozambique for his alleged involvement in supporting and aiding extreme jihadist groups in the north of the country.
According to the Department of International Relations (Dirco), the 60-year old Hanekom will be back in court next week.
"Mr Hanekom was arrested on allegations that he has been involved with extreme groups.
"The gentleman is in prison and has appeared in court once and he is going to appear in court next week," says Dirco spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya.
It is alleged that the jihadist group has destabilised the northern areas, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people.
Mabaya also raised concern that Hanekom's arrest may have a negative impact on South Africa's image.
"We are concerned about it mainly because we believe that South Africans that travel across the continent and the world must be spreading good news they must be angels of economic development, they must be agents of social economic change and not responsible for activities that lead to the deaths of people and not being involved with groups that seek to destabilise governments and also to cause pain and mayhem to people," he adds.
The South African High Commissioner to Mozambique, Mandisi Mpahlwa, has been requested to monitor the case.
Over 800 South Africans are currently held in prisons across the world for different crimes including fraud, drug possession and violent crimes, with the majority in the Americas on drug-related convictions.