Siyavuya Mzantsi
SUN International has hailed South Africa’s High Commission in Nigeria for helping it secure the release of its four employees, three of them South African expatriates in Nigeria.
The four had been detained in Nigeria by that country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since Thursday without being formally charged.
The company said it was extremely grateful to the various South African government authorities that were swift to react and assist in obtaining the release of the detainees.
Sun International group general manager Michael Farr said the four, one of them a Nigerian, were in good health after a “harrowing and horrific” experience, spending almost five days in detention.
Farr said there were no plans for their employees to return to South Africa and they would support them in any way they can.
“We have been in contact with their families. They are as relieved. Our employees are our number one priority. In this incident, I think we acted the best way we could. It was also great to see the government getting involved and making sure they are released,” he said.
He said the EFCC wanted to investigate the nature of Sun International’s original investment in the Tourist Company of Nigeria (TCN) as well as TCN’s trading records, and has requested that TCN provide them with information and documentation.
“Sun International has no difficulty with this request and intends to work with TCN to collate and provide the required information to the EFCC.”
Sun International purchased 49.3 percent of the Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc (TCN), making it the largest single shareholder in 2006.
In 2012, the EFCC requested documentation relating to TCN and this was immediately supplied.