Derek Bond, the British tourist who spent nearly three weeks in a South African police cell after authorities mistook him for a fraud suspect, on Friday said the ordeal had made him fear for his life.
Bond, a 72-year-old retired businessman, arrived back in Britain shortly after 5 am (0500 GMT) on Friday with his wife Audrey. South African police arrested Bond at the request of the FBI, which believed he was Derek Lloyd Sykes, a fugitive wanted in
connection with a $4-million telemarketing scandal.
Bond was released on Wednesday after US officials arrested Sykes in Las Vegas and acknowledged that Bond, who had been vacationing in eastern South Africa, was the victim of a mix-up.
Speaking after his arrival at London’s Heathrow airport, Bond broke down in tears and said he had doubted whether he would make it through his 20-day detention.
”My spirits just started to sink and sink and sink, and I really at one stage thought: ‘Am I going to survive?”’
Bond said South African president Thabo Mbeki phoned him after his release to apologise on behalf of his country and ask him to return to South Africa.
”He (Mbeki) said: ‘This isn’t our fault, you will come and have tea with me.”’
Bond has said he is considering seeking compensation from the FBI. US authorities said on Thursday that Sykes, who had used the name Derek Bond, has acknowledged his real name and his British citizenship. The FBI has said it is investigating whether Sykes stole Bond’s identity. – Sapa-AP