Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 November 2001
In response to media queries regarding the arrest of a South African citizen in the USA after the September 11th attacks, the Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to place the following on record:
The Department confirms the arrest of a male South African citizen in the USA after the September 11th attacks. However, he was not arrested in connection with the terrorist attacks that occurred in several cities of the USA. He was arrested for allegedly being in the USA illegally.
The USA immigration officials found that the concerned person had entered the USA in 1987 and allegedly remained in the country illegally. He is currently being held at the Passaic County Jail in New Jersey. His first court appearance was on 19th October and is scheduled to appear again on 19th November 2001.
As is customary, the Department has informed and remains in communication with the family of the prisoner, in South Africa.
For more information, contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853.