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China to release remaining SA tourists

Source: IOL.com, 20/07/2015


DIRCO Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela tweeted that the remaining
five of the ten South Africans arrested in China will be released on
Saturday.�File photo: Jacoline Schoonees
Johannesburg - The remaining five of the 10 South Africans arrested in
China will be released, the international relations and co-operation
department said on Friday.
Spokesman Nelson Kgwete wrote on Twitter: "Chinese authorities
informed the SA mission in Beijing that the remaining 5 nationals
arrested in China will be released by July the 18th."
The department`s other spokesman Clayson Monyela also tweeted: "The
remaining 5 SA citizens still being held in China will be released and
deported tomorrow. Victory for diplomacy. #DIRCO".
On Wednesday, Dirco Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane confirmed that
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would use his official visit to
secure the release of South Africans still detained.
She said Ramaphosa, who arrived in Beijing on Monday, would take the
opportunity of his presence there to also raise this matter.
Nkoana-Mashabane also confirmed the statement by disaster relief
organisation Gift of the Givers (GOTG) that the other five South
Africans initially detained were now awaiting a flight back to Pretoria.
The five are expected to land in South Africa later on Friday.
The South Africans were part of a tour group detained by the Chinese
authorities reportedly on suspicion of association with a terror group
or banned organisation.
Six Britons arrested with them were released earlier this week and
have arrived in the UK.
Three other Britons and one Indian were also in the group. It was not
clear if they too would be released.
ANA
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