Chairperson, Cope, like the majority of South Africans, would like answers on the role of South Africans in Libya, especially on the side of the now deceased Colonel Gaddafi.
Documents found in June led us to believe that the security company operating in Libya was sharing a post office box with SA National Parks. In another document that was found, a plan for a rapid intervention force, staffed by 73 South Africans under the group command of a South African, was exposed. The security company had signed a 12-month contract at a cost of $5,4 million.
A group of 90 South Africans, who arrived after the fall of Tripoli, is reported to be stranded in Libya. The Department of International Relations and Co-operation claims no knowledge of these South Africans, yet it had been approached to help with medical evacuation. Is the department playing open cards with South Africans? Has it not asked questions about how South Africans were involved in planning such medical evacuations?
It is impossible to believe that our National Intelligence Agency, NIA, knows nothing about the mercenary activities of South Africans involved in military operations. The South African provision of the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act of 2006 clearly arms the government to act against these mercenaries. We need answers.
The media have also been reporting that planes were at the ready at Lanseria Airport to help fly South Africans out of Libya. Are these reports factual? We believe the Department of International Relations and Co- operation must give answers to these questions.