Libya hotel owner sends message to SA government over detained Marumo duo
Libyan hotel owner Dr Ali Elzargha has sent a stern message to the South African government after their statements over the detained Marumo Gallants duo.
Elzargha was reacting to statements from the Department of International Relations and Corporation [DRICO] and Gallants, who issued an update on officials Rufus Matsena [Main Picture] and Amos Dhlomo.
Gallants owner Abram Sello has written to Minister Naledi Pandor asking for her intervention on the matter.
In a statement sent to FARPost on Monday, DIRCO called it a criminal offence to hold the two against their will and demanded that they be released by Elzargha.
Both Matsena and Dhlomo are held at a hotel owned by Elzargha 16 days after their CAF Confederation Cup match against Al Akhdar. They were left behind as an agreement between Gallants owner Abram Sello and Elzargha that they would be released after the US$37 000 [R 667 757] owed to him is paid.
SA GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON DETAINED DUO
“Holding people hostage is a criminal offence, and the South African government will not allow for our nationals to be kidnapped or held against their will. This is the reason why we are decisively intervening in this matter to secure their release, and we are quite confident that they will soon be back home,” said the head of public diplomacy at the department, Clayson Monyela.
Speaking to FARPost on Monday, the Libyan businessman questioned why the South African government calls it a hostage when the two are well taken care of. He adds that the only time he will release them is when he has received all his money. The businessman insists no pressure from any government or embassy will force him to release detained Marumo Gallants duo without receiving his dues.
“How can I hold these guys hostage when I am giving them everything? They are getting food and internet, and they come in and out and use their phones. I don’t know why they use this kind of language.”
“The problem here is money, Pay money, and that’s all. Why do they have to go to the Tunisia embassy or Libya? What will the embassy say? It will say pay the money, that’s all,” explained Dr Ali Elzargha.
“For example, if you are at a restaurant and you eat and don’t pay. They will tell you to go and clean the dishes. This is a normal situation, pay my money, and the guys will go. I am not a mafia or a terrorist. It’s a simple thing, I need my money, and they are out.”
DR ALI ELZARGHA CONFIRMS INTERACTION WITH THE LIBYAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
“Somebody called me from the foreign ministry and asked me about the problem, and I explained. So they agreed with me that they [Marumo Gallants] have to pay the money. That’s all. What is the problem? The problem is money, nothing else.
“I am not a terrorist. Anyone can come and visit them at my hotel, they are very fine and getting everything, but they just want to go home. No one from the team is calling them. I saw today they [Marumo Gallants] posted a statement, but they have been here 15 days now. So Marumo doesn’t care about these two guys because they are here by agreement.”
ON ALLEGATIONS THAT HE INFLATED THE AMOUNTS OWED
“I will send my bills to anybody who wants to take them. I certainly don’t want anyone to play with me. If anyone is saying Dr Ali is increasing the amount, they should then bring the lawyers so that we can see the proof. When the gentleman was stuck in Istanbul, he was agreeing with everything, but he is starting to play games now.”
HOW THIS ORDEAL MAY END
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it means it’s not the end. There is a solution to any problem, but he is not picking up the phone, and how can he leave the two guys behind?”
RELATED STORY: Marumo Gallants break silence on detained duo in Libya