/ 6 June 2008

UK: YCL official’s detention a ‘routine check’

Young Communist League (YCL) national secretary Buti Manamela was detained for five hours at London’s Heathrow airport as part of ”routine immigration checks”, the British High Commission said on Friday.

”The United Kingdom, like South Africa, has every right to protect and secure its borders and ensure that its rules for entry are respected. It is not uncommon for routine checks to be carried out on arrival in both of our countries. This is what was done in relation to Mr Manamela,” the British High Commission said in a statement.

”There is no reason for this incident to in anyway interfere with the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the United Kingdom and South Africa. These are founded on mutual respect for freedom of opinion and expression,” it added.

The YCL issued a media release on Thursday saying Manamela was held ”on suspicion that he is a terrorist”.

”This behaviour and barbaric interrogation of the national secretary demonstrates this imperialist inclination of Britain and its authorities,” the YCL said.

Manamela was released after the British High Commission intervened, the latter said in its statement. — Sapa