President Jacob Zuma is receiving regular briefings on attempts by South Africa’s mission in Libya to locate photographer Anton Hammerl, the Presidency said on Wednesday.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was keeping Zuma updated on the matter, spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
“President Zuma instructed the department of international relations and cooperation to use the necessary diplomatic channels to obtain information regarding his whereabouts.”
Kodwa said it was difficult to obtain information on Hammerl, who was being held by Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists in Libya, following the evacuation of all South Africans in Libya, including staff at South Africa’s embassy.
“The South African mission in Tripoli has now partially opened and doing everything possible to locate Mr Hammerl.”
He went missing in Libya 12 days ago with two other journalists from Spain and the United States.
“The department of international relations and cooperation continues to provide consular assistance to the family of Hammerl and other South Africans in distress,” Kodwa said.
A group of journalists, concerned citizens and friends of Hammerl demonstrated in Cape Town and Johannesburg on Wednesday in a bid to draw attention to his plight. More than 1 000 members of the Free Photographer Anton Hammerl Facebook page had been expected to take to the streets, the New Age reported. — Sapa