A misunderstanding led to media reports that five professors from the University of Pretoria were being held hostage at a bio-diesel plant in a village outside Mafikeng, police said on Tuesday.
The professors had apparently gone to the plant in Tontonyane village to fetch trees for their research project when confusion ensued after workers, who were not expecting the professors, refused to let them leave, said Captain Sabata Mokgwaabone.
”Workers there were not told about any professors being allowed to fetch trees and the local chief was also in the dark about the trees,” Sabata said.
He said the matter was resolved amicably between the professors and the chief, known as Montshioa.
But the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported that the professors had been held hostage, although they had pre-arrangements with the plant.
One of the researchers, Professor Else Du Toit, told the SABC they had been locked up since 8.30am.
”We came here to buy trees for our project funded by the National Research Fund’s focus area.
”We organised this last week, but when we came workers said we can not leave, and we are very worried,” she told the SABC.
The public broadcaster further reported that workers at the plant had locked up the professors because they had not been paid.
Police, however, denied the claims. — Sapa