South African security forces free three ministers held hostage

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 15 Reuters - South African security forces marched in to free three government ministers held hostage during a fragile meeting with anti-apartheid veterans.

At least 56 people were arrested and would likely be charged with kidnapping after the confrontation in a hotel in the capital Pretoria on Thursday night, the NATJoint Security Agency said.

Thandi Modise, a minister in the presidency, said he and Thabang Makwetla, along with his deputy Mondli Gungubele, had met the veterans to hear their grievances over compensation for their role in the anti-apartheid struggle.

A spokesperson for the veterans was not asked immediately for comment.

In a video statement, Gungubele said the ministers and veterans had failed to reach an agreement on how the meeting should take place and decided to adjourn it.

As they were leaving the meeting, closing the doors, they attacked the doors. It is at that moment when we realized that we're held hostage, Gungubele said.

It is a situation which was successfully averted by the security forces, very effective and successful. Gungubele said the incident was untenable and legally unacceptable The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, NATJoints coordinates security operations, said in a separate statement that after attempts to negotiate with hostage takers to release the ministers failed, police resorted to a tactical approach The statement did not elaborate on which approach was used but said no shots were fired during the rescue mission.

It was not immediately clear how long the stand-off lasted.

Three of them were taken for medical checks while processing the suspects said. They complained of pains, the NATJoints said.

The 56 people, including seven women, were likely to face kidnapping charges, the organisation added. There was no immediate statement from any of the arrested people or any lawyers representing them.

The government said it will hold a press briefing at 0900 GMT on Friday to discuss the matter.