Individuals with links to al Qaeda and other groups are hiding in southern Africa and could be setting up networks within the region, South Africa's intelligence minister said on Monday."There are groups in Africa that claim to be part of al Qaeda and other structures," Ronnie Kasrils told delegates at an African naval conference in Cape Town. "They have been seeking refuge in this part of the continent, but it is not just a question of seeking refuge, it is also quite possibly attempting to set up networks," he said.
Kasrils said individuals with links to extremist groups had been found in South Africa, Mozambique and other neighboring states and one person had been arrested in Zambia after visiting a number of southern African countries. "Only alert security forces with community support can halt that [setting up terror networks]," he said. He did not name the person arrested in Zambia. Briton Haroon Rashid Aswat, held on a U.S. extradition warrant and accused of plotting to set up a militant training camp in Oregon, was deported to Britain from that country earlier this month.
South Africa has been under international scrutiny after officials raised concern that forged South African identity papers were falling into the hands of extremists, who might find them easier to use than those from their home countries. With developed financial and banking links with the West and a large, multi-racial population, South Africa is also seen by security analysts as possible base of operations for such groups.