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UNITA poser for government

    JOHANNESBURG

    Namibia's authorities are still wondering what to do with seven alleged Angola UNITA rebels who were arrested in the wake of the Caprivi Strip separatist attack earlier this month in the regional capital Katima Mulilo, news reports said on Wednesday.

    Quoting Namibia's defence force chief of staff, Martin Shalli, the reports said the Namibians want to establish if the seven were acting on the instructions of UNITA's leadership.

    Shalli also reportedly cast doubt on speculation that the seven UNITA rebels might be mercenaries paid by the rebel Caprivi Liberation Army. "Secessionists don't have enough money to cater for themselves," Shalli said.

    Detainees released

    About 59 people arrested in and around Katima Mulilo after the separatists attack have been released, media reports said.

    Martin Shalli was quoted as saying: "Any person released can be re-arrested if officials overseeing the state of emergency suspect that these individuals were involved in rebellious activities or abetting rebel activities."

    Shalli also revealed that at least 91 illegal immigrants, some from neighbouring countries and others from West Africa, were arrested during operations by Namibia's security forces from 2 August to 10 August.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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