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In response to media regarding the allegations that some persons may be calling on or recruiting among some sections of our communities to fight in Afghanistan in anticipation for the retaliation against the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to put the following on record:

South Africa's Foreign Military Assistance Act No. 15 of 1998:

* Prohibits the recruitment of persons within the Republic, or elsewhere for engagement in mercenary activity.

* Prohibits the rendering of foreign military assistance with the Republic or elsewhere. This means that no person may within the Republic or elsewhere:

(i) Offer to render any foreign military assistance to any state or organ of state, group of persons or other entity or person unless he or she has been granted authorisation to offer such assistance by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee as constituted by the National Executive by the decision of 18 August 1995.

(ii) Render any foreign military assistance to any state or organ of state, group of persons or other entity or person unless such assistance is rendered in accordance with an agreement approved by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee as constituted by the National Executive by the decision of 18 August 1995

(iii) This Act also stipulates that any person, who contravenes any provision or fails to comply with a condition with regard to any authorisation or approval granted in the Act, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Contact: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs, 5 October 2001.