3 SA ex-cops: NDC wants to equalize on Gitmo terrorism tag - Ocquaye Jnr

Mike Oquaye Jnr, a member of the legal team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had no case against the three South African Nationals who were arrested in the Central Region for allegedly offering military training to 14 security guards.

According to Mr. Oquaye Jnr, who is also a Deputy Director of Communications of the NPP, the John Mahama-led government wanted to equalize on the Gitmo terrorism issue that they have been tagged with.

The three - retired South African Police Officers, Major Ahmed Shaik (rtd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwahye, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45- were reportedly in Ghana to train some officials of the NPP in unarmed combat tactics, weapon disarming and how to provide security for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of NPP, a move the BNI has described as illegal.

The BNI and some NDC communicators described the three retired SA Police Officers as mercenaries and terrorists who here to work for the NPP.

But speaking to Kwame Gyan on e.TV’s State of the Nation, Mr. Oquaye accused government of fabricating stories against the three who were here to legally conduct their business.

“Bringing a foreigner from South Africa to come and train people in Ghana is not a problem. When they were coming, they brought equipment like plastic guns and plastic knives because they came here to perform unarmed combative exercise, weapon disarming and all these things were going to be done with plastic guns and knives that were legally cleared at the airport. I don’t see any terrorist who will come and clear their training materials at the airport,” he stated.

He continued, “for a country that has compassion for Gitmo terrorist, we should have more compassion on South African nationals who have come to do business. Just because they wanted to equalize on the Gitmo terrorists they have been accused of, they decided to build the story of mercenaries and terrorists”.

The three ex- South African police officers who were allegedly engaging in activities which were deemed as a security threat have since been deported.

“This whole brouhaha was to divert the attention of Ghanaians from real issues that are going on. Eventually, they didn’t have a case, no charges and they had to let them go. How can you deport someone who has been charged by the court? After they shouted that those people are terrorists and mercenaries, they only charged them with a misdemeanor. Because of the useless charge they brought, the judge said they should be granted bail,” he said.